<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BE REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000096699
<NAME> TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORP.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-27-1997<F1>
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1997
<CASH>                                       1,876,748
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,482,587
<ALLOWANCES>                                    25,000
<INVENTORY>                                  3,423,979
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             9,486,073
<PP&E>                                       4,382,655
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,200,075
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              12,456,253
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,946,207
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       127,370
<OTHER-SE>                                   9,382,676
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                12,456,253
<SALES>                                     12,258,638
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            12,387,360
<CGS>                                        5,153,663
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                5,153,663
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             8,827,719
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              63,979
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (1,658,001)
<INCOME-TAX>                                 (414,500)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (1,243,501)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.98)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.98)
<FN>
<F1>THE COMPANY'S BY-LAWS CALL FOR ITS FISCAL YEAR TO END ON THE SATURDAY 
CLOSEST TO THE LAST DAY OF SEPTEMBER.
</FN>