<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
       
<CAPTION>
                                                                  EXHIBIT 27.


                                                        SCAN-OPTICS, INC.
                                                     FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE
       
<S>                                         <C>         <C>          <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                               12-MOS      12-MOS       12-MOS

<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           DEC-31-1997  DEC-31-1996 DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                DEC-31-1997  DEC-31-1996 DEC-31-1995

<CASH>                                        4,386,000    1,279,000     281,000
<SECURITIES>                                          0            0           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                15,695,000    9,262,000  10,297,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                    104,000      673,000     413,000
<INVENTORY>                                  12,547,000   14,920,000  13,746,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             34,635,000   26,735,000  25,585,000
<PP&E>                                       19,215,000   19,322,000  18,149,000
<DEPRECIATION>                               15,355,000   15,147,000  14,340,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               38,707,000   31,121,000  29,514,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         9,992,000    9,417,000  11,346,000
<BONDS>                                               0            0           0
<PREFERRED>                                           0            0           0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0            0           0
<COMMON>                                        144,000      139,000     139,000
<OTHER-SE>                                   27,589,000   21,068,000  17,612,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 38,707,000   31,121,000  29,514,000
<SALES>                                      41,361,000   30,275,000  27,642,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             56,608,000   46,034,000  42,084,000
<CGS>                                        25,066,000   19,622,000  19,487,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                51,066,000   42,851,000  43,460,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                149,000       82,000      49,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0            0           0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0            0           0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               5,691,000    3,265,000  (1,327,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (99,000)      (9,000)    (72,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           5,790,000    3,274,000  (1,255,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0            0           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0            0           0
<CHANGES>                                             0            0           0
<NET-INCOME>                                  5,790,000    3,274,000  (1,255,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       .87          .49        (.19)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       .82          .49        (.19)
        

</TABLE>