<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 OCTOBER 2, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000

                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                       9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                  OCT-02-1999
<CASH>                                            335,031
<SECURITIES>                                      583,966
<RECEIVABLES>                                     599,450
<ALLOWANCES>                                       38,044
<INVENTORY>                                       394,282
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                2,616,044
<PP&E>                                            732,547
<DEPRECIATION>                                    236,246
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  5,314,398
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           1,015,250
<BONDS>                                         1,687,690
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                   0
<PREFERRED>                                             0
<COMMON>                                          167,248
<OTHER-SE>                                      1,874,566
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    5,314,398
<SALES>                                         1,812,208
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                1,812,208
<CGS>                                           1,010,555
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   1,010,555
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  270,327
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    6,520
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 74,109
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (19,042)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        6,692
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (36,870)
<DISCONTINUED>                                   (133,690)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                         0
<CHANGES>                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (170,560)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       (1.08)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       (1.09)