<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
unaudited consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2000 and the
consolidated statements of income for the three-month period ended December 31,
2000 of Vari-Lite International, Inc. as set forth in this Form 10-Q and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2001
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-2000
<CASH>                                           5,947
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,957
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (672)
<INVENTORY>                                     14,921
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                32,594
<PP&E>                                         116,270
<DEPRECIATION>                                  66,561
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  84,490
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           17,983
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      46,971
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    84,490
<SALES>                                          2,456
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                20,378
<CGS>                                            1,992
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    9,171
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,978
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    15
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,071
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,158
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,755
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,403
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.56