<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