<ARTICLE>           5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO POWER
CORPORATION'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED APRIL 3, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000
       
                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             OCT-02-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                  APR-03-1999
<CASH>                                                 15,040
<SECURITIES>                                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                                          65,915
<ALLOWANCES>                                            9,634
<INVENTORY>                                            39,366
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      132,441
<PP&E>                                                 34,627
<DEPRECIATION>                                         10,969
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        324,369
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                  97,502
<BONDS>                                                   393
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                1,249
<OTHER-SE>                                             64,348
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          324,369
<SALES>                                               137,442
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      137,442
<CGS>                                                 100,369
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                         100,369
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        4,112
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          384
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      4,463
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                           (91)
<INCOME-TAX>                                              563
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                      (732)
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                             (732)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                           (0.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           (0.06)