<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