<ARTICLE>      5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO POWER
CORPORATION REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JANUARY 2, 1999 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>   1,000
       
                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                OCT-02-1999
<PERIOD-END>                     JAN-02-1999
<CASH>                                30,029
<SECURITIES>                               0
<RECEIVABLES>                         77,479
<ALLOWANCES>                           9,595
<INVENTORY>                           37,205
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                     160,286
<PP&E>                                35,775
<DEPRECIATION>                        10,609
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                       355,712
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                124,539
<BONDS>                                  439
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                      0
<PREFERRED>                                0
<COMMON>                               1,249
<OTHER-SE>                            68,562
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>         355,712
<SALES>                               76,261
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                      76,261
<CGS>                                 55,071
<TOTAL-COSTS>                         55,071
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                       1,781
<LOSS-PROVISION>                         152
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                     2,303
<INCOME-PRETAX>                        2,029
<INCOME-TAX>                             979
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      972
<DISCONTINUED>                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                            0
<CHANGES>                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                             972
<EPS-PRIMARY>                           0.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                           0.08