<ARTICLE>           5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMEDICS
INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED APRIL 3, 1999 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000
       
                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                  APR-03-1999
<CASH>                                                109,318
<SECURITIES>                                           86,242
<RECEIVABLES>                                          67,988
<ALLOWANCES>                                            4,688
<INVENTORY>                                            62,525
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      336,034
<PP&E>                                                 61,098
<DEPRECIATION>                                         40,073
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        548,478
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 102,779
<BONDS>                                               117,641
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                             4,174
<COMMON>                                              244,349
<OTHER-SE>                                            548,478
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                           77,604
<SALES>                                                77,604
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                       40,135
<CGS>                                                  40,135
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                           7,508
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                          324
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                        1,453
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      7,055
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         3,257
<INCOME-TAX>                                            2,582
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                         0
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                               2,582
<NET-INCOME>                                                0
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                            0.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            0.06