<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO FIBERTEK INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED APRIL 4, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINACIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-02-1999 <PERIOD-END> APR-04-1998 <CASH> 120,451 <SECURITIES> 29,478 <RECEIVABLES> 49,113 <ALLOWANCES> 2,314 <INVENTORY> 34,532 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 244,224 <PP&E> 61,763 <DEPRECIATION> 33,328 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 414,747 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 62,582 <BONDS> 153,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 634 <OTHER-SE> 140,933 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 414,747 <SALES> 62,330 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 62,330 <CGS> 37,052 <TOTAL-COSTS> 37,052 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,867 <LOSS-PROVISION> 55 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,861 <INCOME-PRETAX> 7,288 <INCOME-TAX> 2,834 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,251 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,251 <EPS-PRIMARY> .07 <EPS-DILUTED> .07