<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO POWER CORPORATION'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-28-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-28-1996 <CASH> 29,852 <SECURITIES> 6,028 <RECEIVABLES> 18,643 <ALLOWANCES> 589 <INVENTORY> 18,637 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 82,926 <PP&E> 17,580 <DEPRECIATION> 7,813 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 110,711 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 25,207 <BONDS> 305 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,249 <OTHER-SE> 66,119 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 110,711 <SALES> 93,058 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 93,058 <CGS> 74,289 <TOTAL-COSTS> 74,289 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,633 <LOSS-PROVISION> 185 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 26 <INCOME-PRETAX> 4,158 <INCOME-TAX> 1,772 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,074 <DISCONTINUED> (1,189) <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 885 <EPS-PRIMARY> .07 <EPS-DILUTED> .07