<ARTICLE>           5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION'S
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JULY 3, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000

                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                       6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              JAN-2-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                  JUL-03-1999
<CASH>                                            294,224
<SECURITIES>                                      569,458
<RECEIVABLES>                                     594,294
<ALLOWANCES>                                       35,997
<INVENTORY>                                       396,809
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                2,598,105
<PP&E>                                            707,593
<DEPRECIATION>                                    221,049
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  5,135,435
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             895,884
<BONDS>                                         1,766,454
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                   0
<PREFERRED>                                             0
<COMMON>                                          167,253
<OTHER-SE>                                      1,809,840
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    5,135,435
<SALES>                                         1,187,916
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                1,187,916
<CGS>                                             663,095
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     663,095
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  238,957
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    3,076
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 49,112
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (81,981)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       18,025
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (68,282)
<DISCONTINUED>                                   (138,607)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                         0
<CHANGES>                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (206,889)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       (1.31)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       (1.32)