<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