<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                   5
<LEGEND>                                    THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS
                                            SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                            EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR
                                            THE QUARTER ENDED AUGUST 31,
                                            1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
                                            ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
                                            FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                       0000090045
<NAME>                                      SI HANDLING SYSTEMS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                1,000
       
<S>                                                  <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                        6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                    MAR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                         AUG-31-1997
<CASH>                                                        1,264
<SECURITIES>                                                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                 6,405
<ALLOWANCES>                                                      0
<INVENTORY>                                                   2,044
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                             15,885
<PP&E>                                                        7,400
<DEPRECIATION>                                                5,974
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                               18,476
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                         8,268
<BONDS>                                                          27
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                       0
<COMMON>                                                      2,475
<OTHER-SE>                                                    7,564
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                 18,476
<SALES>                                                      19,949
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                             19,949
<CGS>                                                        15,469
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                15,469
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                  0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                5
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                               1,946
<INCOME-TAX>                                                    761
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                           1,185
<DISCONTINUED>                                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
                                          
<NET-INCOME>                                                  1,185
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                      .47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                      .47
        


</TABLE>