<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 SEPTEMBER
28, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                          68,733
<SECURITIES>                                    28,426
<RECEIVABLES>                                   53,855
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,022
<INVENTORY>                                      3,425
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               189,590
<PP&E>                                         132,766
<DEPRECIATION>                                  46,767
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 410,635
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           85,797
<BONDS>                                        191,671
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,828
<OTHER-SE>                                      90,325
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   410,635
<SALES>                                         11,900
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               134,887
<CGS>                                            9,620
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  110,423
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   574
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   388
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,570
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,940
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,721
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,908
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,908
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0