<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
TERRATECH INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 28,
1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1996
<CASH>                                          60,350
<SECURITIES>                                    23,308
<RECEIVABLES>                                   56,622
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,079
<INVENTORY>                                      2,937
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               180,156
<PP&E>                                         136,679
<DEPRECIATION>                                  48,830
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 405,160
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           82,821
<BONDS>                                        192,678
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,830
<OTHER-SE>                                      89,149
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   405,160
<SALES>                                         19,181
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               210,585
<CGS>                                           15,837
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  173,291
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   813
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   490
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,660
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,852
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,042
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,810
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,810
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0