<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMEDICS INC.'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-28-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-28-1996 <CASH> 82,673 <SECURITIES> 65,054 <RECEIVABLES> 63,377 <ALLOWANCES> 4,641 <INVENTORY> 50,604 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 269,865 <PP&E> 36,820 <DEPRECIATION> 22,090 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 438,842 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 64,735 <BONDS> 74,359 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 3,684 <OTHER-SE> 202,374 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 438,842 <SALES> 258,085 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 258,085 <CGS> 132,896 <TOTAL-COSTS> 132,896 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 35,341 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,352 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,770 <INCOME-PRETAX> 37,886 <INCOME-TAX> 11,055 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 26,831 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 26,831 <EPS-PRIMARY> .70 <EPS-DILUTED> 0