<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
ELECTRON CORP.'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 30,1995
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-30-1995
<CASH>                                         461,983
<SECURITIES>                                   593,802
<RECEIVABLES>                                  504,500
<ALLOWANCES>                                    28,021
<INVENTORY>                                    318,182
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,021,226
<PP&E>                                         967,069
<DEPRECIATION>                                 254,224
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,744,908
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          714,836
<BONDS>                                      1,116,011
<COMMON>                                        87,863
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,211,971
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,744,908
<SALES>                                      1,802,371
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,207,417
<CGS>                                        1,064,775
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,376,759<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               124,402<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 5,473
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              76,961
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                299,495
<INCOME-TAX>                                    98,900
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            140,080
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   140,080
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.48
<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>