<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS OF 
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED 
DECEMBER 28, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO 
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-27-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1997
<CASH>                                      36,069,000
<SECURITIES>                                19,421,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               47,085,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,852,000
<INVENTORY>                                 35,389,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           188,796,000
<PP&E>                                     406,996,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             180,634,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             427,179,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       80,120,000
<BONDS>                                     71,522,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       196,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 271,538,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               427,179,000
<SALES>                                     88,982,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            88,982,000
<CGS>                                       89,478,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               89,478,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             5,161,000<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               671,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             147,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (15,506,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                               (4,032,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (11,474,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (11,474,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.58)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.58)
<FN>
<F1>OTHER EXPENSES REFLECT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES.
</FN>