<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