<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 JULY 3, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> JUL-03-1999 <CASH> 41,219 <SECURITIES> 45,987 <RECEIVABLES> 44,570 <ALLOWANCES> 2,039 <INVENTORY> 27,547 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 254,381 <PP&E> 65,528 <DEPRECIATION> 35,588 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 424,110 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 56,077 <BONDS> 154,350 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 635 <OTHER-SE> 156,251 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 424,110 <SALES> 113,772 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 113,772 <CGS> 68,272 <TOTAL-COSTS> 68,272 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (4,056) <LOSS-PROVISION> 5 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,695 <INCOME-PRETAX> 19,217 <INCOME-TAX> 7,493 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 11,239 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 11,239 <EPS-BASIC> 0.18 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.18