Xylan of Calabasas Turns Profit After Year-Ago Loss

Xylan Corp., a Calabasas maker of computer switching systems used in telecommunications applications, reported profits in its second quarter and six months that ended June 30, compared with year-earlier losses.

In the latest quarter, Xylan earned $2.9 million, while its revenue rose more than sixfold to $28.2 million. A year before, it lost $3.71 million on revenue of $4.5 million.

Xylan’s first-half profit was $5.58 million, in contrast with a loss of $6.68 million in the first six months of 1995. Its revenue jumped to $51.6 million from $5.9 million.

The company, which went public in March in one of the year’s hottest initial public offerings, is considered one of the most promising young high-tech firms. Its rapid growth in a highly competitive marketplace is attributed to its cutting-edge switching technology, which allows computer data to be transmitted faster than with older networking technologies.