<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 JUNE 28,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-28-1997
<CASH>                                          96,405
<SECURITIES>                                    10,009
<RECEIVABLES>                                   60,396
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,819
<INVENTORY>                                     34,299
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               209,888
<PP&E>                                          60,288
<DEPRECIATION>                                  31,589
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 383,111
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           80,781
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           613
<OTHER-SE>                                     131,731
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   383,111
<SALES>                                         99,178
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                99,178
<CGS>                                           58,186
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   58,186
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,863
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   (7)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 941
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,809
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,930
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,219
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,219
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .11