<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
TERRATECH INC.'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 30, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINACIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1996
<CASH>                                          31,182
<SECURITIES>                                     7,004
<RECEIVABLES>                                   46,890
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,837
<INVENTORY>                                      4,755
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               121,080
<PP&E>                                         121,847
<DEPRECIATION>                                  40,002
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 332,009
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           53,632
<BONDS>                                         82,384
<COMMON>                                         1,760
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      84,581
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   332,009
<SALES>                                         19,670
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               217,397
<CGS>                                           17,001
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  153,857
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 6,081
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    73
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,730
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,931
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,490
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,218
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,218
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0