<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
FIBERTEK INC.'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1996
<CASH>                                         109,805
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,063
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,948
<INVENTORY>                                     24,467
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               182,425
<PP&E>                                          57,869
<DEPRECIATION>                                  31,329
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 257,232
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           66,816
<BONDS>                                             34
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           612
<OTHER-SE>                                     130,238
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   257,232
<SALES>                                        192,209
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               192,209
<CGS>                                          109,537
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  109,537
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,460
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (450)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 663
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 32,578
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,684
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,894
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,894
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .31