<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 JANUARY 3, 1998
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-03-1998
<CASH>                                         111,648
<SECURITIES>                                    36,319
<RECEIVABLES>                                   55,973
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,565
<INVENTORY>                                     31,960
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               247,470
<PP&E>                                          61,059
<DEPRECIATION>                                  32,723
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 418,938
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           70,474
<BONDS>                                        153,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           633
<OTHER-SE>                                     137,462
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   418,938
<SALES>                                        239,642
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               239,642
<CGS>                                          145,159
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  145,159
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,877
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   362
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,830
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 28,426
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,011
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,426
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,426
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .26