<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION'S
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 2, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> OCT-02-1999
<CASH> 335,031
<SECURITIES> 583,966
<RECEIVABLES> 599,450
<ALLOWANCES> 38,044
<INVENTORY> 394,282
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,616,044
<PP&E> 732,547
<DEPRECIATION> 236,246
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,314,398
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,015,250
<BONDS> 1,687,690
0
0
<COMMON> 167,248
<OTHER-SE> 1,874,566
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 5,314,398
<SALES> 1,812,208
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,812,208
<CGS> 1,010,555
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,010,555
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 270,327
<LOSS-PROVISION> 6,520
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 74,109
<INCOME-PRETAX> (19,042)
<INCOME-TAX> 6,692
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (36,870)
<DISCONTINUED> (133,690)
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (170,560)
<EPS-BASIC> (1.08)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.09)
</TABLE>