<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO POWER
CORPORATION'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                          29,852
<SECURITIES>                                     6,028
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,643
<ALLOWANCES>                                       589
<INVENTORY>                                     18,637
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                82,926
<PP&E>                                          17,580
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,813
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 110,711
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           25,207
<BONDS>                                            305
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,249
<OTHER-SE>                                      66,119
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   110,711
<SALES>                                        120,736
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               120,736
<CGS>                                          100,379
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  100,379
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,214
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   191
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  26
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,300
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,103
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                885
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       885
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0