<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMEDICS
DETECTION NINE MONTHS ENDED 9/28/96 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                           8,089
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,759
<ALLOWANCES>                                       854
<INVENTORY>                                      8,529
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                29,162
<PP&E>                                           5,710
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,706
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  48,425
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           11,419
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,030
<OTHER-SE>                                      14,736
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    48,425
<SALES>                                         21,338
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                30,566
<CGS>                                           11,821
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   16,305
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,551
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   187
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 596
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (1,713)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (650)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (1,063)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (1,063)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0