<ARTICLE>      5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
FIBERTEK INC.'S REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JULY 4, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>   1,000
       
                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                JAN-02-1999
<PERIOD-END>                     JUL-04-1998
<CASH>                               121,093
<SECURITIES>                          35,730
<RECEIVABLES>                         49,757
<ALLOWANCES>                           2,064
<INVENTORY>                           33,911
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                     249,870
<PP&E>                                65,099
<DEPRECIATION>                        34,581
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                       422,492
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                 64,434
<BONDS>                              153,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                      0
<PREFERRED>                                0
<COMMON>                                 634
<OTHER-SE>                           146,584
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>         422,492
<SALES>                              125,913
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                     125,913
<CGS>                                 74,516
<TOTAL-COSTS>                         74,516
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                       3,624
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          59
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                     3,708
<INCOME-PRETAX>                       16,433
<INCOME-TAX>                           6,386
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                    9,579
<DISCONTINUED>                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                            0
<CHANGES>                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                           9,579
<EPS-PRIMARY>                           0.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                           0.15