<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMO
VOLTEK CORPORATION'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED APRIL 4,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-02-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-04-1998
<CASH>                                          14,159
<SECURITIES>                                     1,506
<RECEIVABLES>                                   11,474
<ALLOWANCES>                                       867
<INVENTORY>                                     11,675
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                39,995
<PP&E>                                          10,747
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,312
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  61,944
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,641
<BONDS>                                          5,250
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           497
<OTHER-SE>                                      33,574
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    61,944
<SALES>                                         11,440
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                11,440
<CGS>                                            6,218
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,218
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   793
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    21
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 287
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    853
<INCOME-TAX>                                       342
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                511
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       511
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .05