<ARTICLE>           5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO POWER
CORPORATION'S REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 3, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000
       
                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             OCT-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                  OCT-03-1998
<CASH>                                                 22,240
<SECURITIES>                                            4,018
<RECEIVABLES>                                          62,397
<ALLOWANCES>                                           10,299
<INVENTORY>                                            43,984
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      155,941
<PP&E>                                                 34,433
<DEPRECIATION>                                          9,562
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        351,635
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 120,179
<BONDS>                                                   499
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                1,249
<OTHER-SE>                                             68,615
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          351,635
<SALES>                                               245,692
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      245,692
<CGS>                                                 172,055
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                         172,055
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        7,921
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          200
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      8,998
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         7,858
<INCOME-TAX>                                            4,082
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                     3,353
<DISCONTINUED>                                         (1,017)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                            2,336
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                            0.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            0.20