<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING,
INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US $
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           4,346
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,704
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      4,878
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                18,109
<PP&E>                                           1,663
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,158
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  19,782
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,645
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,119
<OTHER-SE>                                       9,007
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    19,782
<SALES>                                         16,237
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                16,237
<CGS>                                            9,966
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   14,944
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    59
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,352
<INCOME-TAX>                                        57
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,295
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,295
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.27