<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PICTURETEL'S
BALANCE SHEET AND INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED APRIL 4, 1999 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q FILING.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-04-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          59,908
<SECURITIES>                                    51,782
<RECEIVABLES>                                   77,632
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (6,405)
<INVENTORY>                                     37,614
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               229,511
<PP&E>                                         206,748
<DEPRECIATION>                               (112,392)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 358,714
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           99,297
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           30,500
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           403
<OTHER-SE>                                     172,619
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   358,714
<SALES>                                         76,194
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                76,194
<CGS>                                           51,972
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   51,972
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,169
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (24,949)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,021
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (25,970)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (25,970)
<EPS-BASIC>                                   (0.79)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.79)