<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