EXHIBIT 99


                        THERMEDICS ANNOUNCES CONVERTIBLE 
                         SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE OFFERING

        WOBURN, Mass., May 24, 1996 -- Thermedics Inc. (ASE-TMD)
        announced today that it has entered into an agreement to sell at
        par $55 million of noninterest-bearing subordinated debentures
        due 2003. The debentures will be convertible into shares of
        common stock at a price of $32.68. The company has also granted
        to the managers of the offering an over-allotment option to
        purchase an additional $10 million principal amount of
        debentures. These securities will not be registered under the
        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 the Act.


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