<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 SEPTEMBER
28, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                         102,164
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   35,921
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,249
<INVENTORY>                                     26,327
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               174,459
<PP&E>                                          57,372
<DEPRECIATION>                                  30,598
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 247,941
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           65,746
<BONDS>                                             36
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           611
<OTHER-SE>                                     118,459
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   247,941
<SALES>                                        143,699
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               143,699
<CGS>                                           82,469
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   82,469
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,153
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (221)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 483
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,594
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,243
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,295
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,295
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .23