<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 SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000

                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                       9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                  SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                            126,042
<SECURITIES>                                       56,888
<RECEIVABLES>                                      41,289
<ALLOWANCES>                                        1,896
<INVENTORY>                                        30,188
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  278,834
<PP&E>                                             66,754
<DEPRECIATION>                                     38,094
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    442,166
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             108,608
<BONDS>                                           154,650
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                   0
<PREFERRED>                                             0
<COMMON>                                              636
<OTHER-SE>                                        169,036
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      442,166
<SALES>                                           179,473
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  179,473
<CGS>                                             110,358
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     110,358
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    4,103
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      817
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  5,621
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    21,340
<INCOME-TAX>                                        8,582
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                12,408
<DISCONTINUED>                                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                         0
<CHANGES>                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                       12,408
<EPS-BASIC>                                         .20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         .20