<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JANUARY 3, 1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 3, 1998 FOR GENRAD, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-03-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          21,883
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   74,133
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,127
<INVENTORY>                                     29,896
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               128,979
<PP&E>                                          83,628
<DEPRECIATION>                                  50,149
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 178,957
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           35,522
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        27,349
<OTHER-SE>                                      87,664
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   178,957
<SALES>                                        191,120
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               236,761
<CGS>                                           83,738
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  109,997
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                88,225
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 793
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 37,746
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (3,549)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             41,295
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    41,295
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.54
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.43