<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FERROFLUIDICS CORPORATION'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 27, 1997
AND FOR ITS CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS THEN ENDED AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH QUARTERLY STATEMENT ON FORM
10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 27, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000353286
<NAME> FERROFLUIDICS CORP.
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-27-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-27-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                       1,130,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               17,168,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                   222,000
<INVENTORY>                                 13,941,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            34,005,000
<PP&E>                                      21,449,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              11,541,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              49,016,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       20,969,000
<BONDS>                                      5,000,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    36,631,000
<OTHER-SE>                                (13,753,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                49,016,000
<SALES>                                     30,765,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            30,765,000
<CGS>                                       21,286,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               21,286,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             7,410,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             538,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,439,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                   171,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                         1
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .20