<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
the consolidated balance sheet and statement of operations of Computer Network
Technology Corporation as of and for the nine months ending September 30, 1997
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997 
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         10,083 
<SECURITIES>                                   18,269 
<RECEIVABLES>                                  19,256
<ALLOWANCES>                                      704
<INVENTORY>                                    12,087 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               62,232       
<PP&E>                                         31,492      
<DEPRECIATION>                                 19,765    
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 81,042      
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          22,020    
<BONDS>                                           747  
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0 
<PREFERRED>                                         0 
<COMMON>                                          223 
<OTHER-SE>                                     58,052       
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   81,042         
<SALES>                                        46,042          
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               66,253          
<CGS>                                          14,450          
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  28,124          
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               12,243<F1>       
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0      
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 39       
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (170)       
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (62)      
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (108)      
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0      
<CHANGES>                                           0  
<NET-INCOME>                                    (108) 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (.00) 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (.00) 
<FN>

<F1> Amount presented represents engineering and development expense.
</FN>