<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF JABIL CIRCUIT, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1997 <CASH> 65,158 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 92,458 <ALLOWANCES> 1,620 <INVENTORY> 78,281 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 239,882 <PP&E> 157,731 <DEPRECIATION> 66,477 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 333,018 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 123,722 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 18 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 333,018 <SALES> 425,257 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 425,257 <CGS> 375,689 <TOTAL-COSTS> 375,689 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 17,154 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,047 <INCOME-PRETAX> 31,367 <INCOME-TAX> 11,480 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 19,887 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 19,887 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.04 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.04