<ARTICLE>           5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO POWER
CORPORATION'S REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000
       
                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             SEP-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                  DEC-28-1996
<CASH>                                                 29,664
<SECURITIES>                                            5,070
<RECEIVABLES>                                          19,029
<ALLOWANCES>                                              589
<INVENTORY>                                            16,628
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                       81,662
<PP&E>                                                 18,336
<DEPRECIATION>                                          8,174
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        109,340
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                  23,669
<BONDS>                                                   291
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                1,249
<OTHER-SE>                                             66,192
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          109,340
<SALES>                                                23,547
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                       23,547
<CGS>                                                  19,455
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                          19,455
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                          557
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                            0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                          5
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                           776
<INCOME-TAX>                                              373
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                       325
<DISCONTINUED>                                           (321)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                                4
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                               0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                               0