<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 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>                                            320,958
<SECURITIES>                                      434,422
<RECEIVABLES>                                     515,968
<ALLOWANCES>                                       28,315
<INVENTORY>                                       366,147
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                2,337,191
<PP&E>                                            620,717
<DEPRECIATION>                                    213,627
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  5,042,235
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             739,382
<BONDS>                                         1,554,257
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                   0
<PREFERRED>                                             0
<COMMON>                                          192,979
<OTHER-SE>                                      2,376,810
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    5,042,235
<SALES>                                         1,789,362
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                1,789,362
<CGS>                                             997,967
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     997,967
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   47,187
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    6,060
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 64,713
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   173,347
<INCOME-TAX>                                      107,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                54,040
<DISCONTINUED>                                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       532
<CHANGES>                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                       54,572
<EPS-BASIC>                                         .33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         .32