<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                         310,173
<SECURITIES>                                     4,471
<RECEIVABLES>                                  184,462
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,367
<INVENTORY>                                    150,891
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               691,787
<PP&E>                                         185,053
<DEPRECIATION>                                  51,714
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,208,993
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          279,999
<BONDS>                                        202,968
<COMMON>                                         7,381
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     510,379
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,208,993
<SALES>                                        552,587
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               552,587
<CGS>                                          283,222
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  283,222
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                40,098
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,486
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,187
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 87,391
<INCOME-TAX>                                    29,104
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             57,468
<DISCONTINUED>                                       2
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    57,470
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .72