<ARTICLE>                5
<LEGEND>
                    INTER-TEL, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE (EXHIBIT 27.1)

         THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
         INTER-TEL,  INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE
         NINE MONTHS ENDED  SEPTEMBER  30, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
         BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                        1,000
<CURRENCY>                                                          U.S. DOLLARS
       
                                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                 DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                                                    JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                                      SEP-30-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                             1
<CASH>                                                                  38452
<SECURITIES>                                                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                           25175
<ALLOWANCES>                                                             1592
<INVENTORY>                                                             20711
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                        90022
<PP&E>                                                                  22491
<DEPRECIATION>                                                          12282
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                         109091
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                   18955
<BONDS>                                                                     0
<COMMON>                                                                58567
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                                 0
<OTHER-SE>                                                               (230)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                           109091
<SALES>                                                                108654
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                       108654
<CGS>                                                                   63936
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                           63936
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                            0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                            0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                         91
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                          8991
<INCOME-TAX>                                                             3414
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                      5577
<DISCONTINUED>                                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                                             5577
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                             .48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                             .48