<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
EXHIBIT 27-FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANT'S UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE 30, 1997 AND
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE 30, 1997 AND UNAUDITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS THEN ENDED AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                              OCT-1-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         994,235
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,506,411
<ALLOWANCES>                                    91,300
<INVENTORY>                                  1,893,605
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             6,080,200
<PP&E>                                       2,426,465
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,711,207
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               9,333,833
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,965,689
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                        71,120
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,997,864
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 9,333,833
<SALES>                                     10,848,948
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            10,848,948
<CGS>                                        7,450,525
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                7,450,525
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             3,107,441
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             149,310
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                194,319
<INCOME-TAX>                                    83,236
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            111,083
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   111,083
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.02