<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 JULY 3, 1999
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> JAN-2-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-03-1999
<CASH> 294,224
<SECURITIES> 569,458
<RECEIVABLES> 594,294
<ALLOWANCES> 35,997
<INVENTORY> 396,809
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,598,105
<PP&E> 707,593
<DEPRECIATION> 221,049
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,135,435
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 895,884
<BONDS> 1,766,454
0
0
<COMMON> 167,253
<OTHER-SE> 1,809,840
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 5,135,435
<SALES> 1,187,916
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,187,916
<CGS> 663,095
<TOTAL-COSTS> 663,095
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 238,957
<LOSS-PROVISION> 3,076
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 49,112
<INCOME-PRETAX> (81,981)
<INCOME-TAX> 18,025
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (68,282)
<DISCONTINUED> (138,607)
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (206,889)
<EPS-BASIC> (1.31)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.32)
</TABLE>