<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
POWER CORPORATION'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH
29, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                          36,768
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   19,765
<ALLOWANCES>                                       571
<INVENTORY>                                     16,494
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                83,070
<PP&E>                                          19,045
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,571
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 110,820
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           26,659
<BONDS>                                            278
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,249
<OTHER-SE>                                      64,616
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   110,820
<SALES>                                         44,869
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                44,869
<CGS>                                           36,104
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   36,104
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,038
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     9
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   9
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,698
<INCOME-TAX>                                       830
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                712
<DISCONTINUED>                                    (333)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       379
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .03