<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
TERRATECH INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 29,
1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1996
<CASH>                                          71,213
<SECURITIES>                                    28,254
<RECEIVABLES>                                   48,230
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,883
<INVENTORY>                                      3,441
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               185,074
<PP&E>                                         125,168
<DEPRECIATION>                                  41,634
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 401,002
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           78,750
<BONDS>                                        192,983
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,807
<OTHER-SE>                                      90,080
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   401,002
<SALES>                                          5,752
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                66,888
<CGS>                                            4,718
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   53,939
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   299
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   122
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,108
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,161
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,501
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,438
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,438
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0