<ARTICLE>           5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THERMO FIBERTEK INC.'S
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 1,2000
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000

                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                  JAN-01-2000
<CASH>                                                 39,254
<SECURITIES>                                           46,405
<RECEIVABLES>                                          50,982
<ALLOWANCES>                                            1,659
<INVENTORY>                                            28,907
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      273,169
<PP&E>                                                 67,804
<DEPRECIATION>                                         37,310
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        442,577
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 114,458
<BONDS>                                               154,350
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                  635
<OTHER-SE>                                            163,435
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          442,577
<SALES>                                               228,036
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      228,036
<CGS>                                                 134,893
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                         134,893
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        2,276
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          234
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      7,449
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        30,551
<INCOME-TAX>                                           11,852
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    17,778
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                           17,778
<EPS-BASIC>                                            0.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            0.29