EXHIBIT 23


                   Consent of Independent Public Accountants
                   -----------------------------------------

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference of our reports dated February 17, 1994 included in or incorporated by
reference into Thermo Instrument Systems Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended January 1, 1994, and into the Company's previously filed
Registration Statement No. 33-14980 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No.
33-16461 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-14974 on Form S-8, Post
Effective Amendment to Registration Statement on Form S-4 No. 33-32579-02 on
Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-33577 on Form S-8, Registration  
Statement No. 33-36221 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-37866 on 
Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-42270 on Form S-3, and Registration
Statement No. 33-69526 on Form S-3.



                                          Arthur Andersen & Co.



Boston, Massachusetts
March 8, 1994