<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