<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
27, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1997
<CASH>                                         109,646
<SECURITIES>                                    29,492
<RECEIVABLES>                                   51,539
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,345
<INVENTORY>                                     30,998
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               235,424
<PP&E>                                          58,848
<DEPRECIATION>                                  31,196
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 410,380
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           67,600
<BONDS>                                        153,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           633
<OTHER-SE>                                     133,502
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   410,380
<SALES>                                        166,784
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               166,784
<CGS>                                          100,522
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  100,522
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,652
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   147
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,961
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,078
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,425
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,813
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,813
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .17