<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 27, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-27-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-27-1997 <CASH> 19,347 <SECURITIES> 9,171 <RECEIVABLES> 21,769 <ALLOWANCES> 757 <INVENTORY> 19,884 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 77,607 <PP&E> 19,637 <DEPRECIATION> 9,046 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 107,992 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 22,899 <BONDS> 252 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,249 <OTHER-SE> 65,419 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 107,992 <SALES> 121,046 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 121,046 <CGS> 99,154 <TOTAL-COSTS> 99,154 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,296 <LOSS-PROVISION> 252 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 18 <INCOME-PRETAX> 4,534 <INCOME-TAX> 2,118 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,104 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2,104 <EPS-PRIMARY> .17 <EPS-DILUTED> 0