<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
JUNE 29, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1996
<CASH>                                         360,938
<SECURITIES>                                     4,758
<RECEIVABLES>                                  310,087
<ALLOWANCES>                                    21,330
<INVENTORY>                                    248,851
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               971,555
<PP&E>                                         260,650
<DEPRECIATION>                                  63,639
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,763,227
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          598,021
<BONDS>                                        238,830
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         9,717
<OTHER-SE>                                     659,874
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,763,227
<SALES>                                        547,123
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               547,123
<CGS>                                          295,235
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  295,235
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                43,272
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,283
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,517
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 93,467
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,456
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             69,339
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    69,339
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .67