<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 SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
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> DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 320,958
<SECURITIES> 434,422
<RECEIVABLES> 515,968
<ALLOWANCES> 28,315
<INVENTORY> 366,147
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,337,191
<PP&E> 620,717
<DEPRECIATION> 213,627
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,042,235
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 739,382
<BONDS> 1,554,257
0
0
<COMMON> 192,979
<OTHER-SE> 2,376,810
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 5,042,235
<SALES> 1,789,362
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,789,362
<CGS> 997,967
<TOTAL-COSTS> 997,967
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 47,187
<LOSS-PROVISION> 6,060
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 64,713
<INCOME-PRETAX> 173,347
<INCOME-TAX> 107,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 54,040
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 532
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 54,572
<EPS-BASIC> .33
<EPS-DILUTED> .32
</TABLE>