<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
FIBERTEK INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH
30,1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1996
<CASH>                                          53,898
<SECURITIES>                                     1,506
<RECEIVABLES>                                   38,633
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,541
<INVENTORY>                                     27,225
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               131,666
<PP&E>                                          49,510
<DEPRECIATION>                                  28,865
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 187,651
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           55,435
<BONDS>                                         15,038
<COMMON>                                           407
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     113,257
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   187,651
<SALES>                                         48,980
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                48,980
<CGS>                                           28,192
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   28,192
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,273
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    42
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 172
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,611
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,399
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,206
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,206
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .12