<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
OPTEK CORPORATION'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
28, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1996
<CASH>                                          63,641
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   84,004
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,436
<INVENTORY>                                     61,178
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               239,027
<PP&E>                                          75,607
<DEPRECIATION>                                  22,021
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 498,358
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          135,138
<BONDS>                                         96,778
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           485
<OTHER-SE>                                     248,679
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   498,358
<SALES>                                        350,639
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               350,639
<CGS>                                          188,631
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  188,631
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                21,979
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   907
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,772
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 40,420
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,019
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             23,401
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    23,401
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0