<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from financial 
statements included in our quarter report for period ending April 2, 1999 and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001009677
<NAME> CARDIOTHORACIC SYSTEMS
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-02-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-02-1999
<CASH>                                       2,377,000
<SECURITIES>                                23,566,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                4,665,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (438,000)
<INVENTORY>                                  1,906,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            33,035,000
<PP&E>                                       6,852,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             (3,846,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              45,719,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        7,580,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                   103,660,000
<OTHER-SE>                                (66,799,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                45,719,000
<SALES>                                      6,331,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             6,331,000
<CGS>                                        2,338,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,338,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             8,287,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              57,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (3,835,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (3,835,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (3,835,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.27)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.27)