<ARTICLE>      5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO POWER
CORPORATION'S REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JULY 4, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>   1,000
       
                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                OCT-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                     JUL-04-1998
<CASH>                                25,920
<SECURITIES>                           4,114
<RECEIVABLES>                         67,912
<ALLOWANCES>                          13,556
<INVENTORY>                           47,487
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                     147,596
<PP&E>                                38,641
<DEPRECIATION>                        13,255
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                       339,190
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                112,463
<BONDS>                                  435
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                      0
<PREFERRED>                                0
<COMMON>                               1,249
<OTHER-SE>                            63,948
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>         339,190
<SALES>                              197,039
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                     197,039
<CGS>                                142,153
<TOTAL-COSTS>                        142,153
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                       6,357
<LOSS-PROVISION>                         167
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                     6,544
<INCOME-PRETAX>                        3,881
<INCOME-TAX>                           2,378
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                    1,158
<DISCONTINUED>                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                            0
<CHANGES>                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                           1,158
<EPS-PRIMARY>                           0.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                           0.10