EXHIBIT 99




                    THERMO INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS INC. ANNOUNCES
                      SENIOR CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE OFFERING


        WALTHAM, Mass., October 10, 1996 -- Thermo Instrument Systems
        Inc. (ASE-THI) announced today that it has entered into an
        agreement for the sale of $150 million principal amount of 4 1/2
        percent senior convertible debentures due 2003 at par.  The
        debentures will be convertible into shares of common stock at a
        price of $43.07.  The company has also granted to the managers of
        the offering an over-allotment option to purchase an additional
        $22.5 million principal amount of debentures.

             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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