<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000895419
<NAME> CREE RESEARCH, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1996             JUN-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           8,687                   8,687
<SECURITIES>                                     1,579                   1,579
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,864                   6,864
<ALLOWANCES>                                       134                     134
<INVENTORY>                                      4,997                   4,997
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                21,699                  21,699
<PP&E>                                          31,870                  31,870
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,488                   8,488
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  46,923                  46,923
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,808                   3,808
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        45,371                  45,371
<OTHER-SE>                                     (2,430)                 (2,430)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    46,923                  46,923
<SALES>                                          6,859                  14,293
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 6,859                  14,293
<CGS>                                            5,303                   9,432
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,547                  11,923
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    92                     179
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   2                       2
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    397                   2,515
<INCOME-TAX>                                        39                     251
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                358                   2,264
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                       358                   2,264
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    $0.03                   $0.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    $0.03                   $0.17