<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
SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                         441,552
<SECURITIES>                                   557,112
<RECEIVABLES>                                  430,430
<ALLOWANCES>                                    25,827
<INVENTORY>                                    308,071
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,897,318
<PP&E>                                         942,011
<DEPRECIATION>                                 237,678
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,507,125
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          627,752
<BONDS>                                      1,077,823
<COMMON>                                        86,482
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,129,063
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,507,125
<SALES>                                      1,278,312
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,577,639
<CGS>                                          754,573
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  984,588<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                96,018<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,992
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              56,292
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                209,434
<INCOME-TAX>                                    65,611
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            100,265
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   100,265
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.07
<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>