
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                           5
<CIK>                                                      0000895419
<NAME>                                             CREE RESEARCH, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                    1,000
       
<S>                                                                 <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                         JUN-28-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                            JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                              SEP-28-1997
<CASH>                                                         12,919
<SECURITIES>                                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                   8,760
<ALLOWANCES>                                                      196
<INVENTORY>                                                     3,215
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                               26,945
<PP&E>                                                         32,359
<DEPRECIATION>                                                  7,950
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                 52,815
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                           4,057
<BONDS>                                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                               0
<PREFERRED>                                                         0
<COMMON>                                                       47,102
<OTHER-SE>                                                         18
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                   52,815
<SALES>                                                        10,207
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                               10,207
<CGS>                                                           7,072
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                   8,600
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                               (164)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                 1,771
<INCOME-TAX>                                                      602
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                             1,169
<DISCONTINUED>                                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                     0
<CHANGES>                                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                                    1,169
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                   0.09<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                   0.09
<FN>
EPS-BASIC
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
