<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           1,401
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,760
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      9,396
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                26,370
<PP&E>                                           2,218
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,578
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  28,809
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           11,254
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,181
<OTHER-SE>                                      13,679
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    28,809
<SALES>                                         11,692
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                11,692
<CGS>                                            7,239
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   10,778
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    38
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    876
<INCOME-TAX>                                       350
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                526
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       526
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.10