<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
POWER CORP.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 30,
1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-30-1995
<CASH>                                          23,277
<SECURITIES>                                    10,523
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,715
<ALLOWANCES>                                       481
<INVENTORY>                                     18,811
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                81,732
<PP&E>                                          16,240
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,687
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 107,419
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           23,287
<BONDS>                                            350
<COMMON>                                         1,248
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      64,993
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   107,419
<SALES>                                         27,452
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                27,452
<CGS>                                           22,665
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   22,665
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   738
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  (55)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  11
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,064
<INCOME-TAX>                                       409
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       577
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0