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 1,2000
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>                                                281,760
<SECURITIES>                                          555,501
<RECEIVABLES>                                         607,825
<ALLOWANCES>                                           33,699
<INVENTORY>                                           373,141
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    2,517,207
<PP&E>                                                756,443
<DEPRECIATION>                                        245,796
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      5,181,842
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               1,066,349
<BONDS>                                             1,565,974
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                              167,433
<OTHER-SE>                                          1,847,053
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        5,181,842
<SALES>                                             2,471,193
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                    2,471,193
<CGS>                                               1,378,494
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       1,378,494
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                      328,689
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                        8,626
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     96,992
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        37,486
<INCOME-TAX>                                           33,073
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                   (14,580)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       (161,462)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                         1,469
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                         (174,573)
<EPS-BASIC>                                           (1.10)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           (1.13)