<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
ELECTRON CORPORATION'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED APRIL
1, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-01-1995
<CASH>                                         406,346
<SECURITIES>                                   500,756
<RECEIVABLES>                                  378,620
<ALLOWANCES>                                    24,096
<INVENTORY>                                    256,285
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,689,981
<PP&E>                                         839,632
<DEPRECIATION>                                 195,837
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,144,590
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          569,590
<BONDS>                                      1,030,979
<COMMON>                                        54,814
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,013,543
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,144,590
<SALES>                                        388,025
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               478,545
<CGS>                                          230,903
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  299,250<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                23,862<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,641
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,391
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 55,386
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,434
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,548
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     00
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,548
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .49
<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>