<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT SEPTEMBER 27, 1998 AND THE CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1998
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000097210
<NAME> TERADYNE, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                   1.00
<CASH>                                         131,264
<SECURITIES>                                    21,478
<RECEIVABLES>                                  283,843
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,746
<INVENTORY>                                    296,649
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               795,638
<PP&E>                                         838,637
<DEPRECIATION>                                 402,390
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,332,300
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          265,457
<BONDS>                                         12,716
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        10,507
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,020,191
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,332,300
<SALES>                                      1,173,032
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,173,032
<CGS>                                          737,535
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,048,740
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 633
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                132,759
<INCOME-TAX>                                    42,483
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             90,276
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    90,276
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.05