<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMEDICS
INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT FILED ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 30, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1996
<CASH>                                          48,645
<SECURITIES>                                    75,850
<RECEIVABLES>                                   55,385
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,493
<INVENTORY>                                     48,294
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               233,560
<PP&E>                                          32,886
<DEPRECIATION>                                  19,017
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 405,078
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          130,346
<BONDS>                                         32,706
<COMMON>                                         3,647
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     180,646
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   405,078
<SALES>                                         60,282
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                60,282
<CGS>                                           31,719
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   31,719
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,023
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   254
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,278
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,003
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,696
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,753
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,753
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0