<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COMPUTER NETWORK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           7,988
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   35,535
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,170
<INVENTORY>                                     13,305
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                59,366
<PP&E>                                          37,695
<DEPRECIATION>                                  22,622
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  86,065
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           30,183
<BONDS>                                            638
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           221
<OTHER-SE>                                      55,023
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    86,065
<SALES>                                         22,337
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                31,166
<CGS>                                            6,854
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   12,532
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,585<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  39
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    591
<INCOME-TAX>                                       222
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                369
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       369
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .02<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .02
<FN>
<F1>Amount presented represents engineering and development expense
<F2>Amount presented represents Basic Net Income (loss) per share
</FN>