<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMOQUEST
CORPORATION'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 27,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1997
<CASH>                                          70,058
<SECURITIES>                                     1,663
<RECEIVABLES>                                  109,763
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,464
<INVENTORY>                                     72,224
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               264,546
<PP&E>                                          87,675
<DEPRECIATION>                                  20,795
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 595,976
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          127,408
<BONDS>                                         92,271
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           510
<OTHER-SE>                                     355,799
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   595,976
<SALES>                                        315,198
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               315,198
<CGS>                                          164,616
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  164,616
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                21,172
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   716
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,405
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 52,099
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,672
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,427
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,427
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .59
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .56