<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.

<MULTIPLIER>        1,000

                              
<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
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 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