<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such annual report
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000850660
<NAME> Thermadyne Holdings Corp.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           1,319
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   87,905
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,852
<INVENTORY>                                    122,733
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               219,322
<PP&E>                                         104,997
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 420,249
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           98,159
<BONDS>                                        710,709
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           54,053
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            32
<OTHER-SE>                                   (496,358)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   420,249
<SALES>                                        532,777
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               532,777
<CGS>                                          340,236
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  340,236
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               159,511
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              62,151
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (34,760)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,415
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (46,175)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (15,137)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (61,312)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (10.35)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (10.35)