<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                           5
<LEGEND>
This  schedule  contains  summary  information   extracted  from  the  financial
statements for National Computer Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries,  for the fiscal
year ended  January 29,  2000,  and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER>                                                       1000
<CURRENCY>                                          U.S. Dollars

<S>                                                   <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                       12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                   JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                      FEB-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                        JAN-29-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                     1
<CASH>                                                            26,592
<SECURITIES>                                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                    151,870
<ALLOWANCES>                                                           0
<INVENTORY>                                                       33,619
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                   9,932
<PP&E>                                                           257,763
<DEPRECIATION>                                                  (125,654)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   449,880
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                            171,334
<BONDS>                                                                0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                            0
<COMMON>                                                             970
<OTHER-SE>                                                       275,418
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     449,880
<SALES>                                                          190,890
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                 629,545
<CGS>                                                             73,933
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                    388,479
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                 171,478
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                   725
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                   68,430
<INCOME-TAX>                                                      25,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                               42,930
<DISCONTINUED>                                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                        0
<CHANGES>                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                      42,930
<EPS-BASIC>                                                       1.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                       1.30



</TABLE>