UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                   -------------------------------------------

                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT
                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                                 Date of Report
                       (Date of earliest event reported):

                                  July 27, 2004
                    ----------------------------------------

                           THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)


                                                                                        

Delaware                                                1-8002                                                     04-2209186
(State or other jurisdiction of                 (Commission File Number)                      (I.R.S. Employer Identification
incorporation or organization)                                                                                        Number)



                         81 Wyman Street, P.O. Box 9046
                            Waltham, Massachusetts                                                                 02454-9046
                     (Address of principal executive offices)                                                      (Zip Code)

                                 (781) 622-1000
              (Registrant's telephone number including area code)









     This Current Report on Form 8-K contains  forward-looking  statements  that
involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  Important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking
statements are set forth under the heading "Forward  Looking  Statements" in the
Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 3,
2004. These include risks and uncertainties  relating to the need to develop new
products and adapt to significant  technological change, dependence on customers
that operate in cyclical  industries,  general worldwide economic conditions and
related  uncertainties,  the  effect of  changes  in  governmental  regulations,
dependence  on  customers'  capital  spending  policies and  government  funding
policies,  use and  protection  of  intellectual  property,  exposure to product
liability  claims in excess  of  insurance  coverage,  retention  of  contingent
liabilities  from  businesses we sold,  realization of potential  future savings
from new  productivity  initiatives,  implementation  of new branding  strategy,
implementation  of  strategies  for  improving  internal  growth,  the effect of
exchange  rate   fluctuations  on  international   operations,   identification,
completion  and  integration  of new  acquisitions  and potential  impairment of
goodwill   from   previous   acquisitions.   While  we  may   elect  to   update
forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim
any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change and, therefore, you should
not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any
date subsequent to today.

Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

          (a) Financial Statements of Business Acquired: Not applicable.
          (b) Pro Forma Financial Information:  Not applicable.
          (c) Exhibits
          99 Press Release dated July 27, 2004.

Item 9.  Regulation FD Disclosure  (Information  furnished  pursuant to Item 12,
"Disclosure of Results of Operations and Financial Condition").

     On July 27, 2004,  the Registrant  announced its financial  results for the
fiscal  quarter ended July 3, 2004. The full text of the press release issued in
connection with the  announcement is attached as Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K and
incorporated herein by reference.

     In accordance with the procedural guidance in SEC Release No. 33-8216,  the
information in this Form 8-K and Exhibit 99 attached  hereto is being  furnished
under "Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure"  rather than under "Item 12. Disclosure
of Results of Operations and Financial  Condition." The information shall not be
deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the "Exchange  Act") or otherwise  subject to the  liabilities of that section,
nor  shall it be  deemed  incorporated  by  reference  in any  filing  under the
Securities  Act of 1933 or the Exchange  Act,  except as expressly  set forth by
specific reference in such a filing.





                                    SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized, on this 27th day of July, 2004.


                                       THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION


                                       By: /s/ Peter E. Hornstra
                                           ----------------------------------
                                           Peter E. Hornstra
                                           Corporate Controller and
                                           Chief Accounting Officer

[THERMO LOGO]
                                                                      Exhibit 99

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact Information:                      Investor Contact Information:
Lori Gorski                                     J. Timothy Corcoran
Phone:    781-622-1242                          Phone:   781-622-1111
E-mail:   lori.gorski@thermo.com                E-mail:  tim.corcoran@thermo.com
Website:  www.thermo.com


               Thermo Electron Corporation Reports Second Quarter
                             with 12% Revenue Growth

WALTHAM,  Mass. (July 27, 2004) - Thermo Electron  Corporation  (NYSE:TMO) today
reported GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $.54 for the second quarter of
2004, compared with $.32 in the year-ago period. The 2004 quarter includes a tax
benefit in discontinued operations of $.23 per share that became realizable upon
execution of the June 2004  agreement to sell the Optical  Technologies  segment
(Spectra-Physics). Second-quarter revenues were $525 million, up 12 percent from
$467 million a year ago. GAAP operating income increased 19 percent, compared to
the 2003 quarter,  and GAAP operating  margin rose to 11.2 percent,  versus 10.6
percent in 2003.  Results for the 2003 quarter have been reclassified to reflect
Spectra-Physics as a discontinued operation. Thermo filed a Form 8-K on July 26,
2004  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  that  includes  financial
information pertaining to this reclassification.

Adjusted  EPS  increased  7  percent  for the  second  quarter  of 2004 to $.29,
compared with $.27 in 2003.  Adjusted operating income increased 16 percent over
the 2003  quarter,  and adjusted  operating  margin rose 40 basis points to 12.5
percent, compared with 12.1 percent a year ago. Adjusted EPS, adjusted operating
income, and adjusted operating margin are non-GAAP measures that exclude certain
items  detailed  at the end of this press  release  under the  heading,  "Use of
Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Revenues for the quarter increased 12 percent.  Organic revenues,  which exclude
the  effects  of  currency  translation  and  acquisitions/divestitures,  grew 3
percent.  Currency  translation  increased  revenues  by 3 percent,  and the net
effect of acquisitions/divestitures increased revenues by 6 percent.

Second-quarter Highlights

     o    Reported  revenues  increased  12 percent
     o    Organic revenues grew 3 percent
     o    Adjusted operating income increased 16 percent
     o    Mass spectrometry continued strong growth
     o    Laboratory services business USCS acquired for $75 million
     o    Spectra-Physics sold for $300 million after quarter end

Marijn E. Dekkers,  president and chief  executive  officer of Thermo  Electron,
said, "We are pleased to deliver  adjusted  earnings per share at the top of our
guidance range, as well as solid increases in revenues,  operating margins,  and
cash  flow.  We  continue  to drive  growth by  bringing  innovative  instrument
solutions to our customers, both in the laboratory and the process manufacturing
environment.


"We are seeing the results of these  efforts,  particularly  in the life science
markets we serve, with continued strong sales of mass  spectrometry  systems and
new technology platforms in our anatomical  pathology and laboratory  automation
businesses."

Dekkers  continued,  "As  a  result  of  the  Spectra-Physics  sale  to  Newport
Corporation,  we are now focusing all of our resources on our two core segments,
Life and Laboratory  Sciences and Measurement and Control,  where our instrument
solutions enable our customers to make the world a healthier, cleaner, and safer
place.

"In June, when we announced the agreement to sell  Spectra-Physics,  we adjusted
our full-year 2004 guidance to $1.20 to $1.25, which included a $.04 increase in
our  core  business  to  account  for  improved  operating  performance.  We are
reiterating  this  adjusted EPS guidance for the year.  For the third quarter of
2004, our adjusted EPS guidance is $.28 to $.30."

This  guidance  excludes  approximately  $.03 of expense  per  quarter  from the
amortization of  acquisition-related  intangible  assets,  an additional gain of
approximately  $.20 from the July 2004  sale of  Spectra-Physics,  and the other
items  described  in this press  release  under the  heading,  "Use of  Non-GAAP
Financial Measures."

Life and Laboratory Sciences
The Life and Laboratory  Sciences  segment reported $370 million in revenues for
the second  quarter of 2004,  versus $314 million  last year,  an increase of 18
percent.  Organic  revenues rose 2 percent.  The effect of currency  translation
increased  revenues  by 3 percent  and  acquisitions  increased  revenues  by 12
percent.  Strong  sales  of mass  spectrometry  systems,  as well as  anatomical
pathology and laboratory  automation  systems,  were partially  offset by weaker
results in Europe  across  the  segment  and lower  sales of rapid test kits for
diagnosing respiratory disease. Also during the quarter, the acquisition of USCS
was completed,  bringing asset  management  capabilities to Thermo's  laboratory
services business.

GAAP operating income increased 21 percent,  and GAAP operating margin increased
to 14.4 percent from 14.0 percent in the 2003 period.  Adjusted operating income
for the segment increased 16 percent,  and adjusted operating margin declined to
15.6  percent,  versus 15.8  percent in the 2003  period.  The  inclusion of the
recently  acquired  Jouan,  LMSi,  and USCS  businesses  reduced  the  segment's
adjusted  operating margin by 60 basis points.  The company expects margins from
these acquired businesses to improve in ensuing quarters.

Measurement and Control
Second-quarter  revenues  in the  Measurement  and Control  segment  increased 3
percent  to $155  million,  versus  $151  million  last year.  Organic  revenues
increased 3 percent.  This increase is an early indication of the  strengthening
of our  industrial  end-markets.  The effect of currency  translation  increased
revenues  by 3  percent,  while  the  net  effect  of  acquisitions/divestitures
decreased revenues by 3 percent.  GAAP operating income for the segment declined
7 percent  from the 2003  period,  and GAAP  operating  margin  decreased to 8.0
percent in 2004,  versus 8.8 percent a year ago. This change is due primarily to
a gain on the sale of real estate in the 2003 period.  Adjusted operating income
for the segment increased 4 percent from the 2003 period, and adjusted operating
margin was 9.3 percent, up from 9.2 percent in 2003.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to the  financial  measures  prepared in accordance  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles  (GAAP),  we  use  certain  non-GAAP  financial
measures,  including  adjusted  EPS,  adjusted  operating  income,  and adjusted
operating  margin,  which  exclude  restructuring  and  other  costs/income  and


amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. Adjusted EPS and adjusted
operating   income  also   exclude   certain   other   gains  and  losses,   tax
provisions/benefits  related to the previous items,  and benefit from tax credit
carryforwards.  We exclude  these items  because  they are outside of our normal
operations  and, in certain  cases,  are  difficult to forecast  accurately  for
future  periods.  We also use the  concept  of  organic  revenue  growth,  which
excludes the effects of currency translation and  acquisitions/divestitures.  We
believe that the  inclusion of such  measures  helps  investors to gain a better
understanding  of our core operating  results and future  prospects,  consistent
with how management measures and forecasts the company's performance, especially
when comparing such results to previous periods or forecasts.

Specifically:

We exclude costs and tax effects associated with restructuring activities,  such
as reducing overhead and consolidating  facilities, in connection with the final
phase of our  overall  reorganization,  which we  expect  will be  substantially
complete  in 2004.  We believe  that the costs  related  to these  restructuring
activities are not indicative of our normal operating costs.

We exclude charges  relating to the sale of inventories  revalued at the date of
acquisition,  as we  believe  these  charges  are not  indicative  of our normal
operating costs.

We exclude  the  expense and tax effects  associated  with the  amortization  of
acquisition-related  intangible  assets  because a  significant  portion  of the
purchase price for acquisitions may be allocated to intangible  assets that have
lives of 5 to 10 years. Exclusion of the amortization expense allows comparisons
of operating  results that are consistent  over time for both our newly acquired
and long-held  businesses and with both  acquisitive  and  non-acquisitive  peer
companies.

We also exclude certain gains/losses and related tax effects, as well as benefit
from tax credit carryforwards, that are either isolated or cannot be expected to
occur again with any  regularity or  predictability,  such as those arising from
the  sale of a  business  or real  estate,  the  sale  of our  remaining  equity
interests in Thoratec and FLIR Systems,  and the early retirement of debt, which
we believe are not indicative of our normal operating gains and losses.

Thermo's management uses these non-GAAP measures,  in addition to GAAP financial
measures,  as the basis for measuring the company's core  operating  performance
and comparing such  performance to that of prior periods and to the  performance
of our competitors. Such measures are also used by management in their financial
and operating decision-making and for compensation purposes.

The non-GAAP  financial  measures of Thermo's results of operations  included in
this press  release are not meant to be  considered  superior to or a substitute
for  Thermo's   results  of  operations   prepared  in  accordance   with  GAAP.
Reconciliations  of  such  non-GAAP  financial  measures  to the  most  directly
comparable  GAAP  financial  measures are set forth in the  accompanying  tables
and/or the text of this press release.  Thermo's earnings guidance,  however, is
only  provided  on an adjusted  basis.  It is not  feasible to provide  GAAP EPS
guidance because the items excluded,  other than the amortization  expense,  are
difficult to predict and estimate and are primarily  dependent on future events,
such as decisions concerning the location and timing of facility consolidations,
and the timing of and proceeds from the sale of our remaining equity interest in
Thoratec. We no longer own any shares of FLIR Systems.




Conference Call
Thermo Electron will hold its earnings conference call on Wednesday, July 28, at
8:30 a.m.  Eastern  time.  To listen,  dial  888-872-9028  within  the U.S.,  or
973-633-6740 outside the U.S. You may also listen to the call live on the Web by
visiting www.thermo.com. Click on "About Us," then "Investors." An audio archive
of the call will be  available  in that  section of our  Website  until  Friday,
August  27,  2004.  You  will  also  find  this  press  release,  including  the
accompanying  reconciliation of non-GAAP financial  measures,  under the heading
"Press Releases," and related information under the heading "Financial Reports,"
in the Investors section of our Website.

About Thermo Electron
Thermo Electron Corporation is the world leader in analytical  instruments.  Our
instrument  solutions  enable  our  customers  to make  the  world a  healthier,
cleaner,  and  safer  place.  Thermo's  Life and  Laboratory  Sciences  business
provides analytical  instruments,  scientific equipment,  services, and software
solutions  for  life  science,  drug  discovery,  clinical,  environmental,  and
industrial laboratories.  Thermo's Measurement and Control business is dedicated
to providing analytical instruments used in a variety of manufacturing processes
and  in-the-field  applications,  including  those  associated  with  safety and
homeland security. Based near Boston, Massachusetts, Thermo has revenues of more
than $2 billion, and employs  approximately  10,000 people in 30 countries.  For
more information, visit www.thermo.com.

The following constitutes a "Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities
Litigation  Reform Act of 1995:  This  press  release  contains  forward-looking
statements that involve a number of risks and  uncertainties.  Important factors
that could cause actual  results to differ  materially  from those  indicated by
such forward-looking statements are set forth under the heading "Forward-Looking
Statements"  in the  company's  Quarterly  Report  on Form  10-Q for the  fiscal
quarter ended April 3, 2004. These include risks and uncertainties  relating to:
the need to develop new products and adapt to significant  technological change,
dependence on customers that operate in cyclical  industries,  general worldwide
economic  conditions  and  related  uncertainties,  the  effect  of  changes  in
governmental regulations, dependence on customers' capital spending policies and
government  funding  policies,  use and  protection  of  intellectual  property,
exposure to product liability claims in excess of insurance coverage,  retention
of contingent  liabilities  from  businesses we sold,  realization  of potential
future savings from new productivity initiatives, implementation of new branding
strategy, implementation of strategies for improving internal growth, the effect
of exchange  rate  fluctuations  on  international  operations,  identification,
completion  and  integration  of new  acquisitions  and potential  impairment of
goodwill  from  previous  acquisitions.  We undertake no  obligation to publicly
update any  forward-looking  statement,  whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise.



                                                                                                       

Consolidated Statement of Income (unaudited)
                                                                                      Three Months Ended
                                                               ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         July 3, 2004                     June 28, 2003
                                                               ------------------------------   ------------------------------
(In thousands except per share amounts)                          Reported (a)    Adjusted (b)     Reported (a)     Adjusted (b)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revenues                                                           $ 525,309       $ 525,309        $ 467,268       $ 467,268
                                                               --------------   -------------   --------------   -------------

Costs and Operating Expenses:
   Cost of revenues (c)                                              286,424         286,088          250,147         250,147
   Selling, general, and administrative expenses                     140,864         140,864          127,744         127,744
   Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets               5,644            -               2,333            -
   Research and development expenses                                  32,592          32,592           32,610          32,610
   Restructuring and other costs, net (d)                                815            -               4,688            -
                                                               --------------   -------------   --------------   -------------

                                                                     466,339         459,544          417,522         410,501
                                                               --------------   -------------   --------------   -------------

Operating Income                                                      58,970          65,765           49,746          56,767
Interest Income                                                        1,666           1,666            7,074           7,074
Interest Expense                                                      (2,694)         (2,694)          (5,357)         (5,357)
Other Income, Net (e)                                                 11,695           3,702           10,723             771
                                                               --------------   -------------   --------------   -------------

Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes                 69,637          68,439           62,186          59,255
Provision for Income Taxes (f)                                       (19,058)        (19,843)          (7,545)        (15,196)
                                                               --------------   -------------   --------------   -------------

Income from Continuing Operations                                     50,579          48,596           54,641          44,059
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations (includes income tax
  benefit of $36,927 in 2004 and $207 in 2003)                        40,501            -              (1,502)           -
                                                               --------------   -------------   --------------   -------------

Net Income                                                         $  91,080       $ 48,596         $ 53,139        $ 44,059
                                                               ==============   =============   ==============   =============

Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations:

    Basic                                                          $     .31                        $     .34
                                                               ==============                   ==============
    Diluted                                                        $     .30                        $     .33
                                                               ==============                   ==============

Earnings per Share (g):

    Basic                                                          $     .55                        $     .33
                                                               ==============                   ==============
    Diluted                                                        $     .54       $     .29        $     .32       $    .27
                                                               ==============   =============   ==============   =============

Weighted Average Shares:

    Basic                                                            165,571                          162,048
                                                               ==============                   ==============

    Diluted (h)                                                      170,521         170,521          172,459         172,459
                                                               ==============   =============   ==============   =============




(a)  Reported results were determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
     accounting  principles  (GAAP).  Prior period amounts have been adjusted to
     reflect the treatment of Spectra-Physics as a discontinued operation.
(b)  Adjusted  results are  non-GAAP  measures  and  exclude  charges to cost of
     revenues (note c), amortization of  acquisition-related  intangible assets,
     restructuring and other costs/income (note d), certain other income/expense
     (note e), the tax  consequences  of these  items  (note f), and  results of
     discontinued operations.
(c)  Reported  results  in 2004  include  $275,000  of charges  for  accelerated
     depreciation  on  manufacturing  equipment  being abandoned due to facility
     consolidations and $61,000 of charges for the sale of inventories  revalued
     at the date of acquisition.
(d)  Reported results in 2004 include  restructuring  and other items consisting
     principally  of severance;  abandoned  facility and other  expenses of real
     estate  consolidation;  gain on the sale of a business;  and legal/advisory
     fees associated with a reorganization of the company's non-U.S.  subsidiary
     structure.  Reported results in 2003 include  restructuring and other items
     consisting principally of severance;  abandoned facility and other expenses
     of real estate  consolidation;  a writedown of a business  held for sale to
     estimated  disposal  value;  net  gains on the sale of a  product  line and
     property;  and legal/advisory  fees associated with a reorganization of the
     company's non-U.S. subsidiary structure.
(e)  Reported  results  include  $7,993,000  of gains from the sale of shares of
     Thoratec  Corporation  in 2004,  and  $9,952,000  of gains from the sale of
     shares of FLIR Systems, Inc. in 2003.
(f)  Adjusted  provision for income taxes  excludes  $115,000 and  $1,375,000 of
     incremental tax provision in 2004 and 2003, respectively,  for the items in
     (b)  through  (e);  $900,000  in  2004  of  tax  benefit  resulting  from a
     reorganization  of  the  company's  subsidiary  structure  in  Europe;  and
     $9,026,000  in  2003  of tax  benefit  from  the  reversal  of a  valuation
     allowance due to expected utilization of foreign tax credit  carryforwards.
(g)  Reported  earnings  per  share and  adjusted  earnings  per  share  exclude
     interest expense on convertible debentures of $398,000 and $1,745,000,  net
     of tax, in 2004 and 2003, respectively,  for the assumed conversion of such
     convertible debentures.
(h)  Adjusted weighted average diluted shares reflect the dilutive effect on the
     convertible  debentures  of the  adjustments  to net income as described in
     notes (b) through (g).





                                                                                                              

Segment Data (i)(j)(k)                                                                                 Three Months Ended
(In thousands except percentage amounts)                                                        ------------------------------------

                                                                                                  July 3, 2004      June 28, 2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life and Laboratory Sciences
  Revenues                                                                                          $ 369,823       $ 314,330
                                                                                                --------------   -------------
                                                                                                --------------   -------------

  GAAP Operating Income                                                                                53,331          44,127
  Cost of Revenue Charges (l)                                                                             275             -
  Restructuring and Other Items (m)                                                                      (779)          3,907
  Amortization of Acquisition-related Intangible Assets                                                 4,963           1,657
                                                                                                --------------   -------------
  Adjusted Operating Income                                                                         $  57,790       $  49,691
                                                                                                --------------   -------------

  GAAP Operating Margin                                                                                 14.4%           14.0%
  Adjusted Operating Margin                                                                             15.6%           15.8%


Measurement and Control
  Revenues                                                                                          $ 155,486       $ 151,285
                                                                                                --------------   -------------

  GAAP Operating Income                                                                                12,415          13,375
  Cost of Revenue Charges (l)                                                                              61             -
  Restructuring and Other Items (m)                                                                     1,299            (178)
  Amortization of Acquisition-related Intangible Assets                                                   681             676
                                                                                                --------------   -------------

  Adjusted Operating Income                                                                         $  14,456       $  13,873
                                                                                                --------------   -------------

  GAAP Operating Margin                                                                                  8.0%            8.8%
  Adjusted Operating Margin                                                                              9.3%            9.2%


Consolidated (including Corporate Costs)
  Revenues                                                                                          $ 525,309       $ 467,268
                                                                                                --------------   -------------

  GAAP Operating Income                                                                                58,970          49,746
  Cost of Revenue Charges (l)                                                                             336             -
  Restructuring and Other Items (m)                                                                       815           4,688
  Amortization of Acquisition-related Intangible Assets                                                 5,644           2,333
                                                                                                --------------   -------------

  Adjusted Operating Income                                                                         $ 65,765        $  56,767
                                                                                                --------------   -------------

  GAAP Operating Margin                                                                                 11.2%           10.6%
  Adjusted Operating Margin                                                                             12.5%           12.1%



(i)  GAAP  operating  income  and  GAAP  operating  margin  were  determined  in
     accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
(j)  Adjusted  operating  income and  adjusted  operating  margin  are  non-GAAP
     measures  and  exclude the items in notes (c) and (d) and  amortization  of
     acquisition-related intangible assets.
(k)  Depreciation  expense  in  2004  was  $7,446,000  at  Life  and  Laboratory
     Sciences,   $2,621,000   at   Measurement   and  Control  and   $10,782,000
     Consolidated.  Depreciation  expense  in 2003  was  $6,263,000  at Life and
     Laboratory  Sciences,  $2,719,000 at Measurement and Control and $9,907,000
     Consolidated.
(l)  Includes items  described in note (c).
(m)  Includes items described in note (d).




                                                                                                       

Consolidated Statement of Income (unaudited)
                                                                                       Six Months Ended
                                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        July 3, 2004                       June 28, 2003
                                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands except per share amounts)                          Reported (a)    Adjusted (b)     Reported (a)     Adjusted (b)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revenues                                                         $ 1,050,341     $ 1,050,341      $   921,896       $ 921,896
                                                               --------------   -------------   --------------   --------------
Costs and Operating Expenses:
   Cost of revenues (c)                                              570,596         567,852          494,208         494,208
   Selling, general, and administrative expenses                     287,617         287,617          253,640         253,640
   Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets               9,450            -               4,444            -
   Research and development expenses                                  66,861          66,861           65,319          65,319
   Restructuring and other costs, net (d)                              3,973            -              11,638            -
                                                               --------------   -------------   --------------   -------------

                                                                     938,497         922,330          829,249         813,167
                                                               --------------   -------------   --------------   -------------

Operating Income                                                     111,844         128,011           92,647         108,729
Interest Income                                                        3,586           3,586           14,746          14,746
Interest Expense                                                      (5,423)         (5,423)         (12,086)        (12,086)
Other Income, Net (e)                                                 15,106           5,492           15,960           2,305
                                                               --------------   -------------   --------------   -------------

Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes                125,113         131,666          111,267         113,694
Provision for Income Taxes (f)                                       (34,869)        (37,907)         (22,538)        (31,527)
                                                               --------------   -------------   --------------   -------------

Income from Continuing Operations                                     90,244          93,759           88,729          82,167
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations (includes income tax
  benefit of $35,780 in 2004 and $1,394 in 2003)                      43,958            -              (4,199)           -
Gain on Disposal of Discontinued Operations (net of income tax
  provision of $3,564)                                                  -               -               5,036            -
                                                               --------------   -------------   --------------   -------------

Net Income                                                       $   134,202     $    93,759      $    89,566       $  82,167
                                                               ==============   =============   ==============   =============

Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations:

    Basic                                                        $       .55                      $       .55
                                                               ==============                   ==============
    Diluted                                                      $       .53                      $       .53
                                                               ==============                   ==============

Earnings per Share (g):

    Basic                                                        $       .81                            $ .55
                                                               ==============                   ==============
    Diluted                                                      $       .79     $       .56      $       .54       $     .50
                                                               ==============   =============   ==============   =============

Weighted Average Shares:

    Basic                                                            165,389                          162,446
                                                               ==============                   ==============
    Diluted (h)                                                      170,258         170,258          172,977         172,977
                                                               ==============   =============   ==============   =============




(a)  Reported results were determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
     accounting  principles  (GAAP).  Prior period amounts have been adjusted to
     reflect the treatment of Spectra-Physics as a discontinued operation.
(b)  Adjusted  results are  non-GAAP  measures  and  exclude  charges to cost of
     revenues (note c), amortization of  acquisition-related  intangible assets,
     restructuring and other costs/income (note d), certain other income/expense
     (note e), the tax  consequences  of these  items  (note f), and  results of
     discontinued operations.
(c)  Reported  results in 2004 include  $2,744,000 of charges  primarily for the
     sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition.
(d)  Reported results in 2004 include  restructuring  and other items consisting
     principally  of severance;  abandoned  facility and other  expenses of real
     estate  consolidation;  gain on the sale of a business;  and legal/advisory
     fees associated with a reorganization of the company's non-U.S.  subsidiary
     structure.  Reported results in 2003 include  restructuring and other items
     consisting principally of severance;  abandoned facility and other expenses
     of real estate  consolidation;  a writedown of a business  held for sale to
     estimated  disposal  value;  net  gains on the sale of a  product  line and
     property;  and legal/advisory  fees associated with a reorganization of the
     company's non-U.S. subsidiary structure.
(e)  Reported  results  include  $9,614,000  of gains from the sale of shares of
     Thoratec  Corporation  in 2004,  and  $13,655,000 of gains from the sale of
     shares of FLIR Systems, Inc. in 2003.
(f)  Adjusted provision for income taxes excludes  $2,138,000 of incremental tax
     benefit  in  2004  and  $37,000  of  incremental  tax  provision  in  2003,
     respectively,  for the items in (b)  through  (e);  $900,000 in 2004 of tax
     benefit  resulting  from  a  reorganization  of  the  company's  subsidiary
     structure  in  Europe;  and  $9,026,000  in 2003 of tax  benefit  from  the
     reversal of a valuation  allowance due to expected  utilization  of foreign
     tax credit carryforwards.
(g)  Reported  earnings  per  share and  adjusted  earnings  per  share  exclude
     interest expense on convertible debentures of $811,000 and $3,546,000,  net
     of tax, in 2004 and 2003, respectively,  for the assumed conversion of such
     convertible debentures.
(h)  Adjusted weighted average diluted shares reflect the dilutive effect on the
     convertible  debentures  of the  adjustments  to net income as described in
     notes (b) through (g).





                                                                                                             

Segment Data (i)(j)(k)                                                                                Six Months Ended
(In thousands except percentage amounts)                                                      --------------------------------------
                                                                                                   July 3, 2004    June 28, 2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Life and Laboratory Sciences
  Revenues                                                                                        $   735,289       $ 614,111
                                                                                                --------------   -------------

  GAAP Operating Income                                                                               100,146          83,626
  Cost of Revenue Charges (l)                                                                           2,621            -
  Restructuring and Other Items (m)                                                                       642           6,480
  Amortization of Acquisition-related Intangible Assets                                                 8,106           3,245
                                                                                                --------------   -------------

  Adjusted Operating Income                                                                       $   111,515       $  93,351
                                                                                                --------------   -------------

  GAAP Operating Margin                                                                                 13.6%           13.6%
  Adjusted Operating Margin                                                                             15.2%           15.2%


Measurement and Control
  Revenues                                                                                        $   315,052       $ 303,781
                                                                                                --------------   -------------

  GAAP Operating Income                                                                                26,598          24,194
  Cost of Revenue Charges (l)                                                                             123            -
  Restructuring and Other Items (m)                                                                     2,521           3,453
  Amortization of Acquisition-related Intangible Assets                                                 1,343           1,199
                                                                                                --------------   -------------

  Adjusted Operating Income                                                                       $    30,585       $  28,846
                                                                                                --------------   -------------

  GAAP Operating Margin                                                                                  8.4%            8.0%
  Adjusted Operating Margin                                                                              9.7%            9.5%


Consolidated (including Corporate Costs)
  Revenues                                                                                        $ 1,050,341       $ 921,896
                                                                                                --------------   -------------

  GAAP Operating Income                                                                               111,844          92,647
  Cost of Revenue Charges (l)                                                                           2,744            -
  Restructuring and Other Items (m)                                                                     3,973          11,638
  Amortization of Acquisition-related Intangible Assets                                                 9,450           4,444
                                                                                                --------------   -------------

  Adjusted Operating Income                                                                       $   128,011       $ 108,729
                                                                                                --------------   -------------

  GAAP Operating Margin                                                                                 10.6%           10.0%
  Adjusted Operating Margin                                                                             12.2%           11.8%



(i)  GAAP  operating  income  and  GAAP  operating  margin  were  determined  in
     accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
(j)  Adjusted  operating  income and  adjusted  operating  margin  are  non-GAAP
     measures  and  exclude the items in notes (c) and (d) and  amortization  of
     acquisition-related intangible assets.
(k)  Depreciation  expense  in  2004  was  $14,981,000  at Life  and  Laboratory
     Sciences,   $5,078,000  at  Measurement   and  Control,   and   $21,660,000
     Consolidated.  Depreciation  expense  in 2003 was  $11,666,000  at Life and
     Laboratory Sciences,  $5,298,000 at Measurement and Control and $18,755,000
     Consolidated.
(l)  Includes items described in note (c).
(m)  Includes items described in note (d).




                                                                                      

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited)


(In thousands)                                                              July 3, 2004    Dec. 31, 2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                                                 $   306,617     $   303,912
  Short-term available-for-sale investments                                      65,168         114,326
  Accounts receivable, net                                                      414,368         419,625
  Inventories                                                                   323,872         302,161
  Other current assets                                                          174,879         160,001
  Current assets of discontinued operations                                     123,044          95,231
                                                                          --------------  --------------
                                                                              1,407,948       1,395,256
                                                                          --------------  --------------
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net                                             246,208         252,252
                                                                          --------------  --------------
Acquisition-related Intangible Assets                                           122,838          65,542
                                                                          --------------  --------------
Other Assets                                                                     44,724          47,408
                                                                          --------------  --------------
Long-term Assets of Discontinued Operations                                     181,980         187,339
                                                                          --------------  --------------
Goodwill                                                                      1,485,950       1,441,172
                                                                          --------------  --------------
                                                                            $ 3,489,648     $ 3,388,969
                                                                          ==============  ==============


Current Liabilities:
  Short-term obligations and current maturities of long-term obligations    $    35,061     $    45,981
  Other current liabilities                                                     582,762         542,994
  Current liabilities of discontinued operations                                 84,935          95,818
                                                                          --------------  --------------
                                                                                702,758         684,793
                                                                          --------------  --------------
Long-term Deferred Income Taxes and Other Long-term Liabilities                 101,130          85,095
                                                                          --------------  --------------
Long-term Liabilities of Discontinued Operations                                  6,817           6,766
                                                                          --------------  --------------
Long-term Obligations:
  Senior notes                                                                  133,985         137,874
  Subordinated convertible obligations                                           77,234          77,234
  Other                                                                          13,324          14,401
                                                                          --------------  --------------
                                                                                224,543         229,509
                                                                          --------------  --------------
Total Shareholders' Equity                                                    2,454,400       2,382,806
                                                                          --------------  --------------
                                                                            $ 3,489,648     $ 3,388,969
                                                                          ==============  ==============