<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS OF COMPUTER NETWORK
TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION AS OF AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                          10,481
<SECURITIES>                                     1,219
<RECEIVABLES>                                   33,069
<ALLOWANCES>                                       895
<INVENTORY>                                     15,210
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                62,507
<PP&E>                                          38,871
<DEPRECIATION>                                  24,182
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  88,574
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           31,748
<BONDS>                                            609
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           221
<OTHER-SE>                                      55,996
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    88,574
<SALES>                                         46,526
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                64,632
<CGS>                                           14,846
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   26,481
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,062<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  51
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,995
<INCOME-TAX>                                       756
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,239
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,239
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .06<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .06
<FN>
<F1>Amount Presented Represents Engineering and Development Expense.
<F2>Amount Presented Represents Basic Net Income (Loss) Per Share.
</FN>