<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COGNEX CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 28,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                      38,600,000
<SECURITIES>                               115,443,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               33,180,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,618,000
<INVENTORY>                                  8,158,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           207,808,000
<PP&E>                                      43,708,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              11,861,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             243,322,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       22,232,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        83,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 219,611,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               243,322,000
<SALES>                                     43,936,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            43,936,000
<CGS>                                       11,460,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               11,460,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             15,744,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,803,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         10,941,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                10,941,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .24