<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
ELECTRON CORPORATION INC.'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1994
<CASH>                                         382,797
<SECURITIES>                                   614,915
<RECEIVABLES>                                  332,668
<ALLOWANCES>                                    21,619
<INVENTORY>                                    233,382
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,682,684
<PP&E>                                         793,167
<DEPRECIATION>                                 179,215
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,019,949
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          536,500
<BONDS>                                      1,049,753
<COMMON>                                        51,025
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     939,315
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,019,949
<SALES>                                      1,418,306
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,585,348
<CGS>                                          824,845
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  949,570<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                83,401<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,255
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              59,550
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                203,603
<INCOME-TAX>                                    69,231
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            103,410
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   103,410
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.85
<FN>
<F1>THIS LINE IS MADE UP OF THE FOLLOWING INCOME STATEMENT ACCOUNTS: "COST OF
PRODUCTS", "COST OF SERVICES", AND "RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTS".
<F2>THIS LINE IS MADE UP OF THE FOLLOWING INCOME STATEMENT ACCOUNTS: "COSTS
ASSOCIATED WITH DIVISIONAL AND PRODUCT RESTRUCTURING", "INTERNALLY FUNDED
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT" AND "OTHER EXPENSES FOR NEW LINES OF BUSINESS".
</FN>