<ARTICLE>      5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
FIBERTEK INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED APRIL 3, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>   1,000
       
                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                     APR-03-1999
<CASH>                               128,792
<SECURITIES>                          40,378
<RECEIVABLES>                         46,270
<ALLOWANCES>                           2,060
<INVENTORY>                           30,042
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                     259,218
<PP&E>                                65,250
<DEPRECIATION>                        35,291
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                       425,950
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                 58,867
<BONDS>                              153,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                      0
<PREFERRED>                                0
<COMMON>                                 635
<OTHER-SE>                           155,859
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>         425,950
<SALES>                               60,223
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                      60,223
<CGS>                                 36,787
<TOTAL-COSTS>                         36,787
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                      (5,898)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                           1
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                     1,850
<INCOME-PRETAX>                       13,953
<INCOME-TAX>                           5,485
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                    8,228
<DISCONTINUED>                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                            0
<CHANGES>                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                           8,228
<EPS-PRIMARY>                           0.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                           0.12