WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>




                                   EXHIBIT 27
                          GENRAD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                    ARTICLE 5

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF APRIL 4, 1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 4, 1998 FOR GENRAD, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CURRENCY>                                                U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                                                       <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                             3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                         JAN-2-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                              APR-4-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                    1
<CASH>                                                        16,299
<SECURITIES>                                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                 66,183
<ALLOWANCES>                                                   1,239
<INVENTORY>                                                   37,721
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                             123,931
<PP&E>                                                        82,732
<DEPRECIATION>                                                46,652
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                               184,653
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                         31,589
<BONDS>                                                            0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                              0
<PREFERRED>                                                        0
<COMMON>                                                      27,592
<OTHER-SE>                                                    98,352
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                 184,653
<SALES>                                                       38,484
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                              49,074
<CGS>                                                         16,885
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                 23,802
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                              23,447
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                               326
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                1,499
<INCOME-TAX>                                                 (7,410)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                            8,909
<DISCONTINUED>                                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                    0
<CHANGES>                                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                                   8,909
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                   0.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                   0.30
        

</TABLE>