<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO POWER
CORPORATION'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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1996
<CASH>                                          29,664
<SECURITIES>                                     5,070
<RECEIVABLES>                                   19,029
<ALLOWANCES>                                       589
<INVENTORY>                                     16,628
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                81,662
<PP&E>                                          18,336
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,174
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 109,340
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           23,669
<BONDS>                                            291
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,249
<OTHER-SE>                                      66,192
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   109,340
<SALES>                                         28,786
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                28,786
<CGS>                                           24,533
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   24,533
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   644
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   5
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    197
<INCOME-TAX>                                       193
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  4
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                         4
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0