<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF AXSYS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
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-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                             531
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   17,599
<ALLOWANCES>                                       392
<INVENTORY>                                     27,905
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                47,100
<PP&E>                                          24,907
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,726
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  76,925
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           22,442
<BONDS>                                         26,353
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            30
<OTHER-SE>                                      25,386
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    76,925
<SALES>                                         90,523
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                90,523
<CGS>                                           65,885
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   65,885
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                16,038
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    87
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,166
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,410
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,594
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,816
<DISCONTINUED>                                     244
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,572
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.04
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.04