<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