<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO FIBERTEK INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JULY 1, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-30-2000 <PERIOD-END> JUL-01-2000 <CASH> 45,773 <SECURITIES> 31,414 <RECEIVABLES> 44,226 <ALLOWANCES> 1,887 <INVENTORY> 28,598 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 271,347 <PP&E> 69,220 <DEPRECIATION> 37,866 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 437,383 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 106,174 <BONDS> 153,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 636 <OTHER-SE> 166,688 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 437,383 <SALES> 122,476 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 122,476 <CGS> 74,874 <TOTAL-COSTS> 74,874 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,845 <LOSS-PROVISION> 742 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,755 <INCOME-PRETAX> 14,435 <INCOME-TAX> 5,910 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,331 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 8,331 <EPS-BASIC> .14 <EPS-DILUTED> .14