<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 28, 1996 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996 FOR GENRAD, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          10,557
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   50,573
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,431
<INVENTORY>                                     20,250
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                84,450
<PP&E>                                          80,155
<DEPRECIATION>                                  60,987
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 115,765
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           30,811
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        26,048
<OTHER-SE>                                      37,632
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   115,765
<SALES>                                        144,325
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               183,545
<CGS>                                           64,500
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   87,137
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                66,154
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,575
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 25,679
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,656)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             27,335
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    27,335
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.09