
<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF VERNITRON CORPORATION AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND
THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                     9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1996 
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1996  
<CASH>                                           5,552
<SECURITIES>                                         0 
<RECEIVABLES>                                   14,392 
<ALLOWANCES>                                       456 
<INVENTORY>                                     28,511 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                48,696 
<PP&E>                                          23,736
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,136 
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  77,010 
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           22,334 
<BONDS>                                              0 
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0 
<PREFERRED>                                          7 
<COMMON>                                            26 
<OTHER-SE>                                      15,817
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    77,010
<SALES>                                         70,733 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                70,733
<CGS>                                           52,781
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   52,781
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                12,981
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0 
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,333 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,663 
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,115 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,548 
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   (173) 
<CHANGES>                                            0 
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,375 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .28 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .28 
                                               


</TABLE>
