<ARTICLE>                        5          
<LEGEND>                         
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from (A)Tridex
Corporation quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such (B)financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                     1,000      
       
                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    9-MOS      
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                  JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                    SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                                  504
<SECURITIES>                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                         9,201
<ALLOWANCES>                                             31
<INVENTORY>                                           7,444
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        826
<PP&E>                                                3,911
<DEPRECIATION>                                        1,611
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       46,776
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                13,444
<BONDS>                                              19,740
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                               0
<COMMON>                                              1,633
<OTHER-SE>                                           11,959
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         46,776
<SALES>                                              30,840
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     30,840
<CGS>                                                22,790
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        58,933
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         15
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    1,024
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     (29,132)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        (10,192)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 (18,940)
<DISCONTINUED>                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                        (18,940)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         (3.17)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         (3.17)