<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