EXHIBIT 99



                  THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION COMPLETES SALE OF
                       CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES


        WALTHAM, Mass., January 3, 1996--Thermo Electron Corporation
        (NYSE-TMO) announced today that it had completed the previously
        announced sale of $585 million principal amount of 4 1/4 percent
        convertible subordinated debentures due 2003, including the $85
        million over-allotment option exercised by the managers of the
        offering.  The debentures will be convertible into shares of
        common stock at a price of $56.70.

             THESE SECURITIES WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED
        STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN
        THE UNITED STATES ABSENT REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION
        FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT.


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