
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SEMTECH'S
10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 28, 1996, WHICH ARE QUALIFIED IN THEIR ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-28-1996
<CASH>                                           6,034
<SECURITIES>                                       411
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,987
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      9,986
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                25,476
<PP&E>                                           6,748
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  32,685
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,595
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               75
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      23,194
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    32,685
<SALES>                                         61,684
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                61,684
<CGS>                                           35,875
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   35,875
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                14,022
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  99
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,343
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,812
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,531
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,531
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.18
        

</TABLE>
