<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                   5

<LEGEND>                                    THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS
                                            SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                            EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR
                                            THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 1,
                                            1996 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>                                        9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                    MAR-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                         DEC-01-1996
<CASH>                                                        1,399
<SECURITIES>                                                  4,290
<RECEIVABLES>                                                 1,901
<ALLOWANCES>                                                      0
<INVENTORY>                                                   1,872
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                             12,356
<PP&E>                                                        6,884
<DEPRECIATION>                                                5,699
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                               14,218
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                         6,106
<BONDS>                                                          32
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                       0
<COMMON>                                                      2,459
<OTHER-SE>                                                    5,510
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                  14,218
<SALES>                                                      15,982
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                             15,982
<CGS>                                                        11,271
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                11,271
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                  0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                6
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                               1,075
<INCOME-TAX>                                                     84
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                             991
<DISCONTINUED>                                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                    991
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                      .40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                      .40
        


</TABLE>