IZMIR, Turkey — For professional fugitive David Janssen, the spotlight of publicity was a reminder of the more disturbing aspects of hero worship.

Everywhere he turned, at airports, in hotel lobbies and restaurants, on the street and even aboard a sailboat, he was the subject of instant recognition.

During a hectic first visit to this ancient land, Janssen was nearly swept off his feet.

IN THE END, he wound up feeling somewhat like the harassed Dr. Kimble he played in the long-running American TV serial, "The Fugitive."

With newspapers and magazines splashing his picture in color across cover pages, it was impossible for Janssen to enjoy the anonymity he cherishes when traveling abroad.

Now at work on the film version of Jacqueline Susann’s "Once Is Not Enough," along with such well-known Hollywood heavies as Kirk Douglas and Alexis Smith, Janssen was a bit startled by his Turkish reception.

"THIS, OF COURSE, has been very gratifying," he said, while getting ready to attend the Izmir Press Association banquet as special guest.

"But it has been a bit tough to get around.

"’The Fugitive’s’ best years in the States were 1967 and 1968. It’s now seen only on reruns in America.

"I knew it was running in the Middle East, but I had no idea it was so popular here.

"I, don’t really want to take credit for all this myself. I think it’s the role I played as Dr. Kimble.

"THERE SEEMS to be a universal sympathy for the man who is unjustly accused, and, of course, this is the plight of Kimble.

"’The Fugitive’ has had long runs in Europe and it has been very popular in Japan."

The hero’s reception given Janssen helps point up the popularity of American TV serials in Turkey.

"I never miss a showing. of ’The Fugitive,’" said a secretary who works for the NATO command here.

"Most of my friends feel the same way. It’s our favorite TV program.

"’The Persuaders’ and ’Star Trek’ probably rank second and third among American shows on Turkish TV."

Turkish dialogue is dubbed in for these films in Ankara.

How long "The Fugitive" will run in Turkey is anybody’s guess, but it’s been a top show since the start of TV here two years ago.

Janssen said he was fascinated when he heard Dr. Kimble speak Turkish.