<ARTICLE>           5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
FIBERTEK INC.'S REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 3, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000
       
                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             JAN-02-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                  OCT-03-1998
<CASH>                                                108,349
<SECURITIES>                                           43,346
<RECEIVABLES>                                          47,294
<ALLOWANCES>                                            2,222
<INVENTORY>                                            31,686
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      243,169
<PP&E>                                                 67,407
<DEPRECIATION>                                         35,742
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        417,570
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                  58,580
<BONDS>                                               153,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                  634
<OTHER-SE>                                            147,310
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          417,570
<SALES>                                               185,591
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      185,591
<CGS>                                                 110,218
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                         110,218
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        5,378
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          112
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      5,562
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        23,689
<INCOME-TAX>                                            9,183
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    13,736
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                           13,736
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                            0.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            0.22