UNITED STATES
              SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                    Washington, D.C.  20549
                               
                           FORM 10-Q
                               
(Mark One)

[ X ]     QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
          THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended     March 31, 1998
                               
                              or

[    ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
          THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______ to ______

Commission File Number:  0-28946

                   Vivid Technologies, Inc.
    (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                               
             Delaware                        04-3054475
     (State of incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

10E Commerce Way, Woburn, Massachusetts        01801
(Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip Code)

                        (781) 938-7800
     (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
                         
                         Yes   X   No  ___

As  of  April  30,  1998, 9,818,762 shares of the  registrant's
Common Stock, $.01 par value, were issued and outstanding.
                               

           VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                               
                             INDEX





Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

          Consolidated Balance Sheets
          March 31, 1998 and September 30, 1997            3

          Consolidated Statements of Operations
          Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 1998
          and 1997                                         4

          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
          Six Months Ended March 31, 1998
          and 1997                                         5

          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements       6


Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
         Condition and Results of Operations               9


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION                               12


SIGNATURES                                                14

                               
                PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.     Financial Statements
           
           VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                          (Unaudited)
                            ASSETS
                                     March 31,          September 30,
                                        1998                   1997
   CURRENT ASSETS:
    Cash and cash equivalents     $ 8,920,792            $11,571,630
    Short-term investments         14,256,777              6,432,405
    Accounts receivable             5,252,993              9,493,519
    Inventories                     8,272,093              6,195,096
    Deferred tax asset                606,790                606,790
    Other current assets            1,390,963                742,729
    Total current assets           38,700,408             35,042,169
   
   PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, at cost:
    Machinery and equipment         2,006,408              2,166,867
    Equipment under capital leases    198,580                198,580
    Leasehold improvements            225,150                165,995
    Furniture and fixtures            102,882                 84,462
                                    2,533,020              2,615,904
    Less- Accumulated depreciation 
     and amortization               1,259,100              1,531,709
                                    1,273,920              1,084,195
   
    Long-term investments           1,006,340              1,218,856
    Other assets, net               1,236,829                111,377
                                  $42,217,497            $37,456,597
   

             LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                               
                                     March 31,          September 30,
                                        1998                   1997
   CURRENT LIABILITIES:
    Accounts payable                2,333,633              1,571,197
    Accrued expenses                2,097,789              2,418,431
    Customer deposits               2,648,015              1,755,788
    Total current liabilities       7,079,437              5,745,416
   
   STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
   Common stock, $.01 par value-
     Authorized - 30,000,000 shares
     Issued and outstanding - 
     9,805,702 and 9,496,684 shares, 
     respectively                      98,057                 94,967
    Capital in excess of par value 26,387,849             26,190,785
    Retained earnings               8,652,154              5,425,429
    Total stockholders' equity     35,138,060             31,711,181
                                  $42,217,497            $37,456,597
                               
                               
                               
                              
     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
              consolidated financial statements.
                               

           VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                          (Unaudited)
                               
                               
                           Three Months Ended        Six Months Ended
                                March 31,                March 31,
                             1998         1997            1998         1997

 Revenues             $ 9,746,939  $ 7,758,137     $19,146,251  $13,623,673
 Cost of revenues       4,031,177    3,159,728       7,887,821    5,687,257
       Gross margin     5,715,762    4,598,409      11,258,430    7,936,416

Operating expenses:
 Research and 
  development           1,416,935    1,178,777       2,807,431    2,153,713
 Selling and marketing  1,058,351      928,842       2,354,173    1,535,347
 General and 
  administrative        1,008,029      736,040       2,046,677    1,215,075
 Litigation expenses       60,000      145,000         120,000      270,000

       Total operating 
        expenses        3,543,315    2,988,659       7,328,281    5,174,135



Income from operations  2,172,447    1,609,750       3,930,149    2,762,281

Other income, net         284,443      250,823         676,299      318,294

Income before provision 
 for income taxes       2,456,890    1,860,573       4,606,448    3,080,575
Provision for income 
 taxes                    737,067      552,401       1,379,723      968,203

       Net income     $ 1,719,823  $ 1,308,172     $ 3,226,725  $ 2,112,372


NET INCOME PER SHARE
       Basic             $    .18     $    .14        $    .34     $    .37
       Diluted           $    .17     $    .13        $    .31     $    .23


WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER
OF SHARES OUTSTANDING                                          
       Basic            9,647,410    9,201,213       9,578,329    5,711,747
       Diluted         10,312,068   10,333,866      10,311,453    9,355,821




  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
                        financial statements.


           VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                          (Unaudited)

                                                Six Months Ended
                                                    March 31,
                                                1998             1997
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income                              $3,226,725       $2,112,372
  Adjustments to reconcile net 
  income to net cash provided by
  operating activities-
     Depreciation and amortization           351,131          215,530
     Changes in assets and liabilities-
     Accounts receivable                   4,240,526          158,140
     Inventories                          (2,076,997)      (1,480,276)
     Deferred tax asset                           --          (80,000)
     Other current assets                   (648,234)        (338,515)
     Accounts payable                        762,436          217,011
     Accrued expenses                       (320,642)      (1,060,915)
     Customer deposits                       892,227          921,631
       Net cash provided by 
        operating activities               6,427,172          664,978

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchases of property and 
   equipment, net                           (413,972)        (270,017)
  Purchases of investments               (14,840,856)              --
  Maturity of investments                  7,229,000               --
  Decrease (increase) in other assets     (1,252,336)         121,906
     Net cash used in investing 
      activities                          (9,278,164)        (148,111)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from the sale of common stock          --       24,887,512
  Proceeds from exercise of stock 
   purchase warrants                              --           32,960
  Proceeds from exercise of stock options    200,154           35,425
  Redemption of series A and series C 
   preferred stock                                --       (5,780,650)
  Payments on capital lease obligations           --          (31,972)
     Net cash provided by financing 
      activities                             200,154       19,143,275

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
  CASH EQUIVALENTS                        (2,650,838)      19,660,142
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, 
  beginning of period                     11,571,630        1,661,724
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, 
  end of period                          $ 8,920,792      $21,321,866


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
  Cash paid during the period for -
     Income tax                          $ 1,179,184      $   570,000




     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
              consolidated financial statements.
                               
                               
           VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Unaudited)

(1)  Basis of Presentation

       The   consolidated   financial   statements   of   Vivid
Technologies,  Inc. (the Company) presented  herein  have  been
prepared  pursuant to the rules of the Securities and  Exchange
Commission  for  quarterly reports on  Form  10-Q  and  do  not
include all of the information and note disclosures required by
generally  accepted  accounting principles.   These  statements
should  be  read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements  and notes thereto for the year ended September  30,
1997,  included  in the Company's Form 10-K as filed  with  the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
     
      The consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 1998,  the
consolidated statements of operations for the three months  and
six  months ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, and the consolidated
statements  of  cash flows for the six months ended  March  31,
1998 and 1997, are unaudited but, in the opinion of management,
include   all  adjustments  (consisting  of  normal,  recurring
adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of  results  for
these interim periods.

      The  results of operations for the six months ended March
31,  1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results  to  be
expected for the entire fiscal year ending September 30, 1998.


(2)  Inventories

      Inventories  are stated at the lower of  cost  (first-in,
first-out) or market and consist of the following:
                                     March 31,          September 30,
                                        1998                   1997

Raw materials                      $4,374,024             $3,175,211
Work-in-process                     2,274,046              1,743,746
Finished goods                      1,624,023              1,276,139
                                   $8,272,093             $6,195,096


       Finished   goods   consist  of   material,   labor   and
manufacturing overhead.


(3)  Significant Customer and Concentration of Credit Risk

      In  the six months ended March 31, 1998, the Company  had
two   customers  who  comprised  39%  and  24%   of   revenues,
respectively.  These customers had amounts due to  the  Company
of  approximately  $1.5 million and $554,000, respectively,  at
March  31,  1998.   Through May 12, 1998, the Company  received
payments of $1.1 million against these receivable balances.  In
the  six  months  ended March 31, 1997,  the  Company  had  one
customer who comprised 58% of revenues.


      The  Company may be affected, for the foreseeable future,
by  the  unstable economy caused by the currency volatility  in
the  Asia Pacific region.  As a result, there are uncertainties
that may affect future operations, including the recoverability
of  receivables.   It is not possible to determine  the  future
effect  a continuation of the economic crisis may have  on  the
Company's  liquidity  and earnings.  Related  effects  will  be
reported  in the financial statements as they become known  and
estimable.  As of March 31, 1998, the Company had approximately
$1.1  million of receivables denominated in foreign currencies.
There are no outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts.


(4)  Earnings Per Share

     Effective December 31, 1997, the Company adopted SFAS  No.
128  "Earnings  Per Share" which establishes new standards  for
calculating and presenting earnings per share.  The Company has
applied  the  provisions  of  SFAS  128  and  Staff  Accounting
Bulletin (SAB) 98 retroactively to all periods presented. Anti-
dilutive  weighted shares of approximately 245,000 and  244,000
for   the   three  and  six  months  ended  March   31,   1998,
respectively,  have  been excluded from  the  weighted  average
number   of   common  and  dilutive  potential  common   shares
outstanding.  There were no anti-dilutive shares for the  three
and  six  months  ended March 31, 1997.  The  following  is  an
illustration  of  the  reconciliation  of  the  numerators  and
denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations for "Net
Income."

                                                   Three Months Ended
                                                March 31,        March 31,
                                                    1998             1997
                                                            
Net Income                                    $1,719,823       $1,308,172
                                                 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding      9,647,410        9,201,213

Weighted average common equivalent shares        664,658        1,132,653

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding   10,312,068       10,333,866

Basic earnings per share                            $.18             $.14
Diluted earnings per share                          $.17             $.13
                                                            
                                         
                                                    Six Months Ended
                                                March 31,        March 31,
                                                    1998             1997
                                                            
Net Income                                    $3,226,725       $2,112,372
                                                 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding      9,578,329        5,711,747

Weighted average common equivalent shares        733,124        3,644,074

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding   10,311,453        9,355,821

Basic earnings per share                            $.34             $.37
Diluted earnings per share                          $.31             $.23
                                                 

(5)  Recent Accounting Pronouncements

      In  June  1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130,  "Reporting
Comprehensive Income."  SFAS No. 130 requires disclosure of all
components  of  comprehensive income on an annual  and  interim
basis.  Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity
of  a business enterprise during a period from transactions and
other events and circumstances from nonowner sources.  SFAS No.
130  is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
1997.   The Company's total comprehensive income for the  three
and  six  month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997  was  the
same as reported net income for those periods.

      In  July 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures
About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information."  SFAS
No.   131   requires   certain  financial   and   supplementary
information to be disclosed on an annual and interim basis  for
each  reportable  segment of an enterprise.  SFAS  No.  131  is
effective  for fiscal years beginning after December 15,  1997.
Unless  impracticable, companies would be required  to  restate
prior period information upon adoption.

      In April 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants issued Statement of Position 98-5 "Reporting on the
Costs  of Start-Up Activities" ("SOP 98-5").  SOP 98-5 provides
guidance  on  the  financial reporting of  start-up  costs  and
organization  costs.  It requires costs of start-up  activities
and organization costs to be expensed as incurred.  The Company
does  not  believe  that the impact of SOP  98-5  will  have  a
material impact on its financial statements.


          PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)


Item 2.        Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
               Condition and Results of Operations

           VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

      The Company's results of operations have and may continue
to  be  subject  to  significant quarterly fluctuation  due  to
several  factors,  known  and unknown,  including  the  overall
demand  for explosives detection systems, market acceptance  of
the   Company's   products,   timing   of   the   announcement,
introduction   and  delivery  of  new  products   and   product
enhancements by the Company and its competitors, variations  in
component  costs,  timing of customer  orders,  adjustments  of
delivery schedules to accommodate customers' programs, economic
conditions  in the Company's targeted markets, the availability
of   components  from  suppliers,  the  timing  and  level   of
expenditures in anticipation of future sales, and  pricing  and
other  competitive conditions.  Customers may  also  cancel  or
reschedule  shipments and production difficulties  could  delay
shipments.   Relatively  few system  sales  to  relatively  few
customers  comprise  a  significant portion  of  the  Company's
revenues in each quarter.  Therefore, small variations  in  the
number  of systems sold could have a significant effect on  the
Company's  results of operations.  Reference  is  made  to  the
"Risk Factors" section of the Company's report on Form 10-K for
the year ended September 30, 1997 for additional discussion  of
factors which may affect the Company's results of operations.

Results of Operations

      Revenues.  Revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 1998
increased  26%  to $9,746,939 from $7,758,137  for  the  second
quarter  of fiscal 1997.   Revenues for the current  six  month
period  increased 41% to $19,146,251 from $13,623,673  for  the
first six months of fiscal 1997.  This increase in revenues was
the  result of an increase in product sales and the recognition
of   approximately  $1.2  million  in  revenues  from  an   FAA
development grant for the first six months of fiscal 1998.  The
increase  in  product sales was primarily attributable  to  the
total number of product shipments to Europe, the United States,
and the completion of shipments to the new Hong Kong airport.

     During  the  first six months of fiscal 1998, the  Company
completed  shipments  to  Kuala Lumpur  International  Airport,
Malaysia  and Chek Lap Kok Airport in Hong Kong, for a total of
29  and  23 systems, respectively.  These systems will  play  a
major role in the 100% screening process when the airports open
this  summer.  During  this  period the  Company  also  shipped
systems to BAA, plc, British Airways, France, the FAA, and  JFK
Terminal One.  The shipments to JFK were the first shipments by
the   Company  to  an  airport  in  the  United  States.    The
installation  at JFK will be the first terminal in  the  United
States  to automatically inspect 100% of passenger baggage  for
explosives.   The terminal is scheduled to open  in  May  1998.
In addition to the checked baggage systems shipped, the Company
delivered  two  units  of the new Model APS  for  hand  baggage
screening  to the U.S. Government for building protection.   In
addition  to  the shipments in the first six months  of  fiscal
1998,  the  Company  has  received  orders  from  airports   in
Liverpool   (UK),  Belfast,  Northern  Ireland,  and   Billund,
Denmark.
     
      In  the  first six months of fiscal 1998, 90% of  product
revenues were generated internationally, approximately  60%  in
Europe, and 30% in Asia.  In the second quarter of fiscal 1998,
approximately   65%   of   product  revenues   were   generated
internationally, approximately 50% in Europe and 15%  in  Asia.
In  the  first  six  months of fiscal  1997,  100%  of  product
revenues were generated internationally, approximately  70%  in
Europe, and 30% in Asia.

      Gross  Margin.    Gross margin, as a percentage of sales,
was  59%  for the three months ended March 31, 1998  and  1997.
For the first six months of fiscal 1998, gross margin increased
as  a  percentage of sales to 59% from 58% for  the  first  six
months of fiscal 1997.  The slight increase in gross margin  in
fiscal   1998  was  primarily  attributable  to  the  decrease,
commencing  in the second quarter of fiscal 1997, in  royalties
due  to  Hologic,  Inc. for the exclusive  license  of  certain
patents  and  technology  from 5% to 3%,  and  decreased  costs
attributable to improved manufacturing efficiencies  recognized
in the current quarter, offset by a lower average selling price
due to product mix.

       Research   and  Development  Expenses.    Research   and
development  expenses  increased  20%  to  $1,416,935  (15%  of
revenues)  in  the  current quarter  from  $1,178,777  (15%  of
revenues)  in  the  second quarter of  fiscal  1997.   For  the
current  six  month  period, research and development  expenses
increased  30% to $2,807,431 (15% of revenues) from  $2,153,713
(16% of revenues) for the first six months of fiscal 1997.  The
increase  in  research and development expenses in fiscal  1998
was  primarily due to the addition of engineering personnel and
outside  consultants working on the development of new products
and  enhancements  to  existing products,  including  the  next
generation system and enhancements to the APS system for carry-
on baggage.

      Selling  and  Marketing Expenses.  Selling and  marketing
expenses increased 14% to $1,058,351 (11% of revenues)  in  the
current  quarter from $928,842 (12% of revenues) in the  second
quarter  of  fiscal  1997. For the current  six  month  period,
selling and marketing expenses increased 53% to $2,354,173 (12%
of  revenues) from $1,535,347 (11% of revenues) for  the  first
six  months  of  fiscal  1997.  The  increase  in  selling  and
marketing  expenses  in  fiscal  1998  was  primarily  due   to
additional sales and support personnel, including expansion  of
operations  in Europe and the Asia/Pacific region, the  payment
of  commissions  on sales in the Asia/Pacific  region,  and  an
increase  in public relations and consulting, trade  shows  and
related  travel costs.  The Company anticipates  that  it  will
continue  to  expand its selling and marketing efforts  in  the
remainder of fiscal 1998

       General   and  Administrative  Expenses.   General   and
administrative  expenses increased 37% to  $1,008,029  (10%  of
revenues)  in  the  current  quarter  from   $736,040  (10%  of
revenues)  in  the  second quarter of  fiscal  1997.   For  the
current  six month period, general and administrative  expenses
increased  68% to $2,046,677 (11% of revenues) from  $1,215,075
(9%  of revenues) for the first six months of fiscal 1997.  The
increase in general and administrative expenses in fiscal  1998
was  primarily  attributable to an increase  in  personnel  and
related costs, including key management positions filled at the
end  of  the second quarter of fiscal 1997, and an increase  in
license  fees  and  patent  amortization  costs.   The  Company
anticipates  that it will continue to increase its general  and
administrative costs in the remainder of fiscal 1998.

      Litigation  Expenses.  The Company incurred  $60,000  and
$145,000  of  litigation expenses in  the  second   quarter  of
fiscal  1998  and 1997, respectively, primarily  in  connection
with  the Company's patent litigation.  Litigation expense  for
the  first six months of fiscal 1998 and 1997 was $120,000  and
$270,000,  respectively.   On November  6,  1996,  the  Company
entered  into  an agreement with EG&G to settle  EG&G's  patent
infringement   claim  against  the  Company.   The   litigation
expenses   in   fiscal  1998  includes  expenses  incurred   in
connection with the Company's litigation with AS&E.  In January
1998,  in a final judgement in favor of the Company, the  Court
dismissed  all of AS&E's claims and declared that  the  Company
does  not  infringe on any of AS&E's patents.  In  April  1998,
AS&E filed a motion to appeal this decision.

      Other Income.  The Company recognized net other income of
$284,443  in  the current quarter compared to $250,823  in  the
second  quarter of fiscal 1997.  Net other income increased  to
$676,299 in the current six month period from $318,294  in  the
comparable period in fiscal 1997.  The increase in fiscal  1998
was  primarily  attributable to an increase in interest  income
attributable  to  higher  average cash balances  available  for
investments.  The increase in other income was slightly  offset
by  an  increase in hedge costs associated with  the  Company's
forward foreign exchange contract and transaction losses.

      Provision for Income Taxes.  The Company's effective  tax
rate  for  the first six months of fiscal 1998 was 30% compared
to 31% in the corresponding period in fiscal 1997.  The Company
expects that its effective tax rate will be slightly lower than
the  statutory tax rates primarily due to the use  of  research
and  development  tax  credits and the tax benefits  associated
with the Company's foreign sales and securities corporations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

       The  Company  has  funded  its  operations  and  capital
expenditures primarily through internally generated cash  flow,
proceeds from the sale of securities and the availability of  a
working capital line of credit.  At March 31, 1998, the Company
had working capital of $31.6 million including $23.2 million in
cash  and  cash  equivalents  and short-term  investments.   In
addition, the Company had approximately $1.0 million  in  long-
term  investments, with average maturities of 15  months.   The
Company  also  has  a  $5.0 million bank line  of  credit  that
officially  expired on February 28, 1998.  The  Company's  bank
line of credit bears interest at the bank's prime rate (8.5% as
of  March  31,  1998).   The  line  of  credit  is  secured  by
substantially all of the Company's assets and contains  certain
financial and other covenants.  At March 31, 1998, the  Company
had  no  amounts  outstanding under this line of  credit.   The
Company  is  currently negotiating a renewal  of  the  line  of
credit on an unsecured basis.

     During the first six months of fiscal 1998, the Company's
net cash provided by operating activities was approximately
$6.4 million.  During that period, net income adjusted for non-
cash expenses including depreciation and amortization totaling
$3.6 million, a decrease of $4.2 million in accounts
receivable, and an increase in accounts payable of $762,000 and
customer deposits of $892,000 were partially offset by a
$321,000 decrease of accrued expenses and a $648,000 increase
in other current assets and a $2.1 million increase in
inventories.  The increase in inventories in the second quarter
of fiscal 1998 reflects increased inventories associated with
the commercial introduction of the new APS system and increased
sales activity.

      The  Company's  capital expenditures for  the  first  six
months  of fiscal 1998 were approximately $414,000.  While  the
Company  does not have any significant commitments for  capital
expenditures  for  the remainder of fiscal  1998,  the  Company
anticipates  that  it  will continue to purchase  equipment  to
support   its   anticipated  growth  and  explore   acquisition
opportunities.

      During the first six months of fiscal 1998, net cash used
in  investing  activities was approximately $9.3 million.   Net
cash used in investing activities was primarily attributable to
the net increase of $7.6 million in investments and an increase
of  $1.2  million in other assets related to the  licensing  of
technology.

     During  the  first  six months of fiscal  1998,  net  cash
provided  by  financing activities was approximately  $200,000.
Net  cash provided by financing activities was attributable  to
the receipt of net proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
     
     The  Company has examined issues related to the Year  2000
and  believes  that it will not have a material impact  on  its
business, operations or its financial condition.

      The  Company believes that existing sources of liquidity,
funds expected to be generated from operations and its line  of
credit  will  provide  adequate  cash  to  fund  the  Company's
anticipated  working capital and other cash  needs  through  at
least  the next twelve months.  However, for a brief discussion
of  the  factors  that  could adversely  affect  the  Company's
financial  position and results of operations, see the  opening
paragraph of Item 2 above.

     The Company may be affected, for the foreseeable future,
by the unstable economy caused by the currency volatility in
the Asia Pacific region.  As a result, there are uncertainties
that may affect future operations, including the recoverability
of receivables.  It is not possible to determine the future
effect a continuation of the economic crisis may have on the
Company's liquidity and earnings.



                  PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
                               
           VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                               
                               
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings.

            Patent   Litigation.   In  May  1996,  the  Company
commenced an action in the United States District Court for the
District  of  Massachusetts against AS&E seeking a  declaration
that the Company does not infringe AS&E patents related to back
scattered   X-rays.   This  followed  AS&E's   allegations   of
infringement  to third parties.  In January 1998,  in  a  final
judgment  in favor of the Company, the Court dismissed  all  of
AS&E's  claims and declared that the Company does not  infringe
on  any  of AS&E's patents.  In April 1998, AS&E filed a motion
in  the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to appeal this
decision.


Item 2.   Changes in Securities.

          None.


Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

          None.


Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security-Holders.

          None.


Item 5.   Other Information.

          None.


Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

          (a)  Exhibits furnished:

               (27)  Financial Data Schedule.
          
          (b)  Reports on Form 8-K.
          
               None.


           VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                               
                          SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



                              Vivid Technologies, Inc.
                              (Registrant)



May 15, 1998                  /s/  S. David Ellenbogen
Date                          S. David Ellenbogen
                              Chief Executive Officer





May 15, 1998                  /s/  William J. Frain
Date                          William J. Frain
                              Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
                              (Principal Financial and Chief Accounting
                              Officer)