<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EMCORE CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD
ENDED MARCH 31, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                         122,203
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,097
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (555)
<INVENTORY>                                     21,631
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 4,723
<PP&E>                                          79,160
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (28,467)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 230,373
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,447
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       306,160
<OTHER-SE>                                    (101,735)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   230,373
<SALES>                                         23,925
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                23,925
<CGS>                                           13,989
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   13,989
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                14,017
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 126
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (4,207)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (4,207)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (4,207)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (0.28)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.28)