<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS OF
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATION FOR THE FIFTY-TWO WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 24,
2000.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-24-2000
<PERIOD-START> SEP-27-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-24-2000
<CASH> 129314000
<SECURITIES> 110955000
<RECEIVABLES> 60637000
<ALLOWANCES> 6157000
<INVENTORY> 32516000
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 354460000
<PP&E> 634611000
<DEPRECIATION> 350952000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 683933000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 83851000
<BONDS> 204424000<F1>
0
0
<COMMON> 248000
<OTHER-SE> 392241000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 683933000
<SALES> 459572000
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 459572000
<CGS> 423423000
<TOTAL-COSTS> 423423000
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 21433000<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION> 6504000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 13305000
<INCOME-PRETAX> (98149000)
<INCOME-TAX> (24537000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (73612000)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (73612000)
<EPS-BASIC> (2.97)
<EPS-DILUTED> (2.97)
<FN> INCLUDES $9,718,000 OF CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS.</FN>
<FN> OTHER EXPENSES REFLECT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
EXPENSES.</FN>
</TABLE>