SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ___________________________________________ FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 24, 1996 ________________________________________ THERMO INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS INC. (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 1-9786 04-2925809 (State or other (Commission I.R.S. Employer jurisdiction of File Number) Identification Number) 1275 Hammerwood Avenue 94089 Sunnyvale, CA (Zip Code) (617) 622-1000 (Registrant's telephone number including area code) PAGE Item 5. Other Events On October 24, 1996, Thermo Instrument Systems Inc. (the "Company") completed the sale at par of $172.5 million principal amount of 4 1/2% senior convertible debentures due 2003 (the "Debentures"). The Debentures are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at an initial conversion price of $43.07. PAGE SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, on this 5th day of November, 1996. THERMO INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS INC. By: /s/ Jonathan W. Painter ------------------------- Jonathan W. Painter Treasurer