<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 MARCH 29,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                         108,697
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   33,104
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,863
<INVENTORY>                                     24,022
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               179,594
<PP&E>                                          56,076
<DEPRECIATION>                                  30,538
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 252,587
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           63,078
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           612
<OTHER-SE>                                     129,290
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   252,587
<SALES>                                         44,667
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                44,667
<CGS>                                           25,536
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   25,536
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,276
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    15
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 156
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,161
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,317
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,460
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,460
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .05