Applied Data Communications

Hamstrung by lagging sales in the home computer market, Applied Data Communications, a Tustin-based manufacturer of computer disk duplicating and testing equipment, Friday reported a $298,000 loss for its third fiscal quarter, ended Dec. 31. The loss compares to a $298,000 profit in the the year-ago third quarter.

Revenues for the three-month period plummeted 42% to $1.8 million from $3 million for the same fiscal quarter a year earlier.

For the first nine months of fiscal 1985, Applied Data’s earnings plunged period plunged 75% to $239,000 from $948,000 in the year-ago period. The profits decline came despite a slight increase in revenues, to $8.64 million compared to $8.56 million.

President Pat Kane said that in addition to continuing softness in the domestic personal computer equipment market, Applied Data incurred greater expenses during the year with the expansion of its work force and manufacturing capability.

Applied Data began economy moves last fall, including closure of a plant that had opened earlier in the fiscal year and cutting its work force to 98 from 144 employees.