<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 OCTOBER 2,
1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000

                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                  OCT-02-1999
<CASH>                                                 40,743
<SECURITIES>                                           46,246
<RECEIVABLES>                                          44,932
<ALLOWANCES>                                            2,021
<INVENTORY>                                            29,089
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      260,000
<PP&E>                                                 65,937
<DEPRECIATION>                                         36,763
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        425,733
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 105,040
<BONDS>                                               154,350
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                  635
<OTHER-SE>                                            159,097
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          425,733
<SALES>                                               166,847
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      166,847
<CGS>                                                  99,449
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                          99,449
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         (411)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                            0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      5,571
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        22,100
<INCOME-TAX>                                            8,548
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    12,807
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                           12,807
<EPS-BASIC>                                            0.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            0.21