<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 28, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-28-1997
<CASH>                                         459,328
<SECURITIES>                                     1,713
<RECEIVABLES>                                  376,676
<ALLOWANCES>                                    23,470
<INVENTORY>                                    286,332
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,200,633
<PP&E>                                         316,012
<DEPRECIATION>                                  84,632
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,386,787
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          635,910
<BONDS>                                        401,128
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         9,791
<OTHER-SE>                                     790,164
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,386,787
<SALES>                                        734,355
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               734,355
<CGS>                                          383,942
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  383,942
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   800
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,890
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,395
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                114,013
<INCOME-TAX>                                    38,761
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             70,806
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    70,806
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .53