<TABLE> <S> <C>
<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 JULY 1, 2000
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-01-2000
<CASH> 45,773
<SECURITIES> 31,414
<RECEIVABLES> 44,226
<ALLOWANCES> 1,887
<INVENTORY> 28,598
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 271,347
<PP&E> 69,220
<DEPRECIATION> 37,866
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 437,383
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 106,174
<BONDS> 153,000
0
0
<COMMON> 636
<OTHER-SE> 166,688
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 437,383
<SALES> 122,476
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 122,476
<CGS> 74,874
<TOTAL-COSTS> 74,874
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,845
<LOSS-PROVISION> 742
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,755
<INCOME-PRETAX> 14,435
<INCOME-TAX> 5,910
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,331
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 8,331
<EPS-BASIC> .14
<EPS-DILUTED> .14
</TABLE>