<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 MARCH 30, 1996 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1996
<CASH>                                          29,518
<SECURITIES>                                     5,161
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,433
<ALLOWANCES>                                       507
<INVENTORY>                                     18,623
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                83,824
<PP&E>                                          16,425
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,728
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 109,501
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           25,045
<BONDS>                                            339
<COMMON>                                         1,248
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      65,156
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   109,501
<SALES>                                         57,208
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                57,208
<CGS>                                           47,760
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   47,760
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,529
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     5
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  16
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,260
<INCOME-TAX>                                       484
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                620
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       620
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0