<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF AXSYS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND
THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 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-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                             556
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   19,464
<ALLOWANCES>                                       393
<INVENTORY>                                     30,698
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                52,914
<PP&E>                                          28,280
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,862
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  83,371
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           20,683
<BONDS>                                          7,882
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            41
<OTHER-SE>                                      52,226
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    83,371
<SALES>                                         67,261
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                67,261
<CGS>                                           48,679
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   48,679
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                12,330
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    50
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 546
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,656
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,063
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,593
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,593
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.08