<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
                          NATIONAL DENTEX CORPORATION
                            FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE

This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 1996 (Unaudited) and the
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Cash Flows for the Nine
Months Ended September 30, 1996 (Unaudited) and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                       4,500,414
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                6,407,916
<ALLOWANCES>                                   207,000
<INVENTORY>                                  2,855,890
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            14,949,167
<PP&E>                                      13,711,934
<DEPRECIATION>                               7,182,891
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              29,897,241
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        5,369,294
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                        34,401
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                  23,134,834
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                29,897,241
<SALES>                                     39,041,261
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            39,041,261
<CGS>                                       22,160,984
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               12,378,139
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            (90,559)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              4,705,586
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,863,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,842,586
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .81