<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMOQUEST
CORP.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 29, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1996
<CASH>                                         182,316
<SECURITIES>                                     1,752
<RECEIVABLES>                                   58,898
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,443
<INVENTORY>                                     51,336
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               302,417
<PP&E>                                          59,559
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,013
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 488,516
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           79,842
<BONDS>                                        105,063
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           485
<OTHER-SE>                                     285,599
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   488,516
<SALES>                                        134,015
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               134,015
<CGS>                                           69,538
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   69,538
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,592
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    29
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,355
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,500
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,070
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,430
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,430
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0