<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 APRIL 4, 1998
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-03-1998
<CASH>                                          29,797
<SECURITIES>                                     4,059
<RECEIVABLES>                                   71,154
<ALLOWANCES>                                    13,703
<INVENTORY>                                     42,726
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               148,689
<PP&E>                                          33,518
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,961
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 339,001
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          112,316
<BONDS>                                            333
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,249
<OTHER-SE>                                      64,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   339,001
<SALES>                                        132,116
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               132,116
<CGS>                                           97,058
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   97,058
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,388
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   158
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,061
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,021
<INCOME-TAX>                                       987
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (233)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (233)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.02)