<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated balance sheets and statements of earnings of Gerber Scientific,
Inc. as of and for the years ended April 30, 1998, 1997, and 1996 and is 
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                                <C>                <C>              <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                       YEAR               YEAR             YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>            APR-30-1998        APR-30-1997      APR-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                 APR-30-1998        APR-30-1997      APR-30-1996
<CASH>                            27,007              9,503            8,704
<SECURITIES>                           0                  0                0
<RECEIVABLES>                     79,114             92,378           74,035
<ALLOWANCES>                           0                  0                0
<INVENTORY>                       61,111             62,221           63,196
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                 185,459            177,804          157,956
<PP&E>                           117,334            121,447          109,430
<DEPRECIATION>                    57,335             58,883           54,692
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                   338,767            325,215          312,988
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>             90,698             58,856           56,296
<BONDS>                                0                  0                0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                  0                  0                0
<PREFERRED>                            0                  0                0
<COMMON>                          23,437             23,307           23,199
<OTHER-SE>                       207,477            224,714          216,099
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>     338,767            325,215          312,988
<SALES>                          430,480            380,917          359,120
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                 430,480            380,917          359,120
<CGS>                            237,485            212,402          198,337         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                    424,097<F1>        362,960          335,774
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                  (4,169)            (4,590)          (4,940) 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                       0                  0                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                   667                338              418          
<INCOME-PRETAX>                    9,885<F1>         22,209           27,868
<INCOME-TAX>                       2,500<F1>          6,200            8,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                7,385<F1>         16,009           19,868
<DISCONTINUED>                         0                  0                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                        0                  0                0
<CHANGES>                              0                  0                0
<NET-INCOME>                       7,385<F1>         16,009           19,868
<EPS-PRIMARY>                        .32<F1>            .69              .85<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                        .32<F1>            .69              .84
<FN>
<F1>FY 1998 results includes a $25 million pre-tax charge related to the 
    write-down of certain assets of the Company's Gerber Systems Corporation
    unit. The special charge amounted to approximately $16.3 million after
    taxes, or $.70 per share on a diluted basis.
<F2>Restated to comply with SFAS 128.
</FN>
        


</TABLE>