<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO POWER CORPORATION'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JANUARY 3, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> Oct-03-1998 <PERIOD-END> JAN-03-1998 <CASH> 39,667 <SECURITIES> 9,169 <RECEIVABLES> 71,674 <ALLOWANCES> 13,699 <INVENTORY> 42,646 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 184,482 <PP&E> 33,935 <DEPRECIATION> 9,313 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 376,458 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 148,182 <BONDS> 160,392 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,249 <OTHER-SE> 65,642 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 376,458 <SALES> 63,562 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 63,562 <CGS> 45,249 <TOTAL-COSTS> 45,249 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,729 <LOSS-PROVISION> 30 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,425 <INCOME-PRETAX> 2,313 <INCOME-TAX> 1,069 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,055 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,055 <EPS-PRIMARY> .09 <EPS-DILUTED> .09