<ARTICLE>           5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
TERRATECH INC. REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JANUARY 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>                             APR-03-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                  JAN-02-1999
<CASH>                                                 34,845
<SECURITIES>                                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                                          68,476
<ALLOWANCES>                                            4,165
<INVENTORY>                                             1,823
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      134,040
<PP&E>                                                148,467
<DEPRECIATION>                                         57,048
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        354,152
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                  69,759
<BONDS>                                               159,679
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                1,958
<OTHER-SE>                                             90,675
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          354,152
<SALES>                                               234,270
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      234,270
<CGS>                                                 187,628
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                         232,017
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                            0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          963
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      6,769
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        (2,824)
<INCOME-TAX>                                              534
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    (1,924)
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                           (1,924)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                           (0.10)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           (0.10)