<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
                                   THIS  SCHEDULE   CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL
                                   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE  INTER-TEL,
                                   INCORPORATED   AND   SUBSIDIARIES   FINANCIAL
                                   STATEMENTS  FOR THE  QUARTER  ENDED MARCH 31,
                                   1997  AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY  BY
                                   REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                          1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     U.S. Dollars
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                       JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                         MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                                1
<CASH>                                                                     41843
<SECURITIES>                                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                              32802
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                3234
<INVENTORY>                                                                21060
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                          109287
<PP&E>                                                                     28324
<DEPRECIATION>                                                             16371
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                            135147
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                      24786
<BONDS>                                                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                   59948
<OTHER-SE>                                                                 37608
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                              135147
<SALES>                                                                    50322
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                           50322
<CGS>                                                                      28152
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                              28152     
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                             7
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                             4489
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                1819
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                         2670
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                      0    
<NET-INCOME>                                                                2670
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                .20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                .20
                                                                            

</TABLE>