<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