<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COGNEX CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
OCTOBER 4, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
CONSOLIDATED FINANICAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-04-1998
<CASH>                                      24,350,000
<SECURITIES>                               130,031,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               23,449,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,496,000
<INVENTORY>                                 11,227,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           201,199,000
<PP&E>                                      52,115,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              17,392,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             241,434,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       19,944,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        84,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 219,396,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               241,434,000
<SALES>                                     24,659,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            24,659,000
<CGS>                                        8,277,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                8,277,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                651,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 (300,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            951,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   951,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .02