<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