<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO FIBERTEK INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED APRIL 1,2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-30-2000 <PERIOD-END> APR-01-2000 <CASH> 37,586 <SECURITIES> 36,180 <RECEIVABLES> 49,699 <ALLOWANCES> 1,595 <INVENTORY> 30,501 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 267,527 <PP&E> 69,972 <DEPRECIATION> 38,156 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 438,985 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 107,776 <BONDS> 154,963 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 635 <OTHER-SE> 166,046 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 438,985 <SALES> 60,829 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 60,829 <CGS> 36,428 <TOTAL-COSTS> 36,428 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,863 <LOSS-PROVISION> 126 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,890 <INCOME-PRETAX> 7,092 <INCOME-TAX> 2,881 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,062 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,062 <EPS-BASIC> 0.07 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.07