-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000097745-03-000107.txt : 20030630
<SEC-HEADER>0000097745-03-000107.hdr.sgml : 20030630
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030630171207
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000097745-03-000107
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030628
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030630

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MANZI JIM P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001216076

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08002
		FILM NUMBER:		03765325

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		81 WYMAN ST
		STREET 2:		POST OFFICE BOX 9046
		CITY:			WALTHAM
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02454

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			THERMO ELECTRON CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000097745
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MEASURING & CONTROLLING DEVICES, NEC [3829]
		IRS NUMBER:				042209186
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		81 WYMAN ST
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 9046
		CITY:			WALTHAM
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02451
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7816221000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		81 WYMAN ST
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 9046
		CITY:			WALTHAM
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02451
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>man114.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
	<periodOfReport>2003-06-28</periodOfReport>
	<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000097745</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>THERMO ELECTRON CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TMO</issuerTradingSymbol>
	</issuer>
	<reportingOwner>
		<reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001216076</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MANZI JIM P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
			<isDirector>1</isDirector>
			<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
			<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
			<isOther>0</isOther>
		</reportingOwnerRelationship>
	</reportingOwner>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>0.00</value>
			<footnoteId id="F1"/>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<transactionDate>
			<value>2003-06-28</value>
		</transactionDate>
		<transactionCoding>
			<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
			<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
			<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
		</transactionCoding>
		<transactionAmounts>
			<transactionShares>
				<value>740.48</value>
			</transactionShares>
			<transactionValue>
				<value>0</value>
				<footnoteId id="F2"/>
			</transactionValue>
			<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
				<value>A</value>
			</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
		</transactionAmounts>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>1988-08-08</value>
			<footnoteId id="F2"/>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>1988-08-08</value>
			<footnoteId id="F2"/>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>740.48</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<postTransactionAmounts>
			<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
				<value>6853.15</value>
			</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
		</postTransactionAmounts>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<footnotes>
		<footnote id="F1">Convertible into Common Stock on a 1-for-1 basis.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F2">Represents stock units credited to the Reporting Person's account as of June 28, 2003, at a price of $21.27 per unit pursuant to the Issuer's exempt Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (the 'Plan').  Director's fees and retainers are deferred quarterly under the Plan as Common Stock based on the average closing price of the stock for the 5 days prior to the end of the quarter and are distributable as stock upon cessation of director service, death, retirement or a change of control.</footnote>
	</footnotes>
	<ownerSignature>
		<signatureName>By: Barbara J. Lucas, Attorney-in-Fact for</signatureName>
		<signatureDate>2003-06-30</signatureDate>
	</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----