<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>                                                 66,671
<SECURITIES>                                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                                         107,684
<ALLOWANCES>                                            5,541
<INVENTORY>                                            85,285
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      276,270
<PP&E>                                                 94,695
<DEPRECIATION>                                         24,829
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        616,316
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 236,120
<BONDS>                                                96,778
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                  505
<OTHER-SE>                                            265,634
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          616,316
<SALES>                                               446,583
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      446,583
<CGS>                                                 251,450
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                         251,450
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                       26,831
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                        1,078
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      7,630
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        46,692
<INCOME-TAX>                                           19,429
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    27,263
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                           27,263
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                            0.56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            0.55