<ARTICLE>           5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
FIBERTEK INC'S REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 2, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000
       
                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             JAN-02-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                  JAN-02-1999
<CASH>                                                115,472
<SECURITIES>                                           48,206
<RECEIVABLES>                                          52,512
<ALLOWANCES>                                            2,231
<INVENTORY>                                            30,624
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      256,292
<PP&E>                                                 68,661
<DEPRECIATION>                                         36,925
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        427,100
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                  62,846
<BONDS>                                               153,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                  634
<OTHER-SE>                                            150,314
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          427,100
<SALES>                                               247,426
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      247,426
<CGS>                                                 147,262
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                         147,262
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        6,971
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          248
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      7,408
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        30,896
<INCOME-TAX>                                           11,902
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    17,995
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                           17,995
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                            0.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            0.29