<TABLE> <S> <C>

        <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 OF
PHOTONICS CORPORATION, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                        <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                      12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        DEC-31-1998              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                           JAN-01-1998              JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                             DEC-31-1998              DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                            42                        5
<SECURITIES>                                       0                      171
<RECEIVABLES>                                    313                      939
<ALLOWANCES>                                       0                        0
<INVENTORY>                                      350                      920
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 816                    2,541
<PP&E>                                         2,688                    2,688
<DEPRECIATION>                                 2,667                    2,653
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   852                    2,807
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          4,018                  3,018

<BONDS>                                            0                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0                        0
<PREFERRED>                                    2,328                    2,106
<COMMON>                                      44,085                   44,079
<OTHER-SE>                                    (3,291)                    (813)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     852                    2,807
<SALES>                                        3,484                    5,622
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               3,484                    5,622
<CGS>                                          2,952                    3,487
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  2,952                    2,894
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 188                     (593)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               389                       98
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (2,705)                 (   399)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       1                       60
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (2,706)                 (   459)
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0                        0
<CHANGES>                                          0                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (2,917)                 (   459)
<EPS-BASIC>                                   (.67)                 (   .11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (.67)                 (   .11)

<PAGE>

</TABLE>