WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE>           5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION'S
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 2, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000

                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                  JAN-01-2000
<CASH>                                                268,340
<SECURITIES>                                        1,059,069
<RECEIVABLES>                                         513,904
<ALLOWANCES>                                           26,938
<INVENTORY>                                           330,507
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    2,926,383
<PP&E>                                                771,093
<DEPRECIATION>                                        236,844
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      5,421,060
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 763,373
<BONDS>                                             1,798,582
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                              166,971
<OTHER-SE>                                          2,087,831
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        5,421,060
<SALES>                                             2,055,805
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                    2,055,805
<CGS>                                               1,127,253
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       1,127,253
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                      151,604
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                        5,002
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     90,329
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                       254,493
<INCOME-TAX>                                          104,571
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                   114,676
<DISCONTINUED>                                         66,785
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                           440
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                          181,901
<EPS-BASIC>                                            1.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            1.08