<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