
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                      5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information from The Pittston Company
Form 10Q for the nine months ended September 30, 1998, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                   1,000
       
<S>                                                           <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                            DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                 SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                                            69,150
<SECURITIES>                                                       2,732
<RECEIVABLES>                                                    602,090
<ALLOWANCES>                                                      36,463
<INVENTORY>                                                       39,931
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                 814,834
<PP&E>                                                         1,378,151
<DEPRECIATION>                                                   559,012
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                 2,281,593
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                            776,642
<BONDS>                                                          332,150
<COMMON>                                                          69,068
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                        1,134
<OTHER-SE>                                                       633,473
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                   2,281,593
<SALES>                                                          410,873
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                               2,758,700
<CGS>                                                            402,590
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                  2,695,225
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                  17,915
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                28,001
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                   54,369
<INCOME-TAX>                                                      20,568
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                               33,801
<DISCONTINUED>                                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                        0
<CHANGES>                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                       33,801
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                           0<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                           0<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Pittston Brink's Group - Basic - 1.49
Pittston BAX Group - Basic - (1.22)
Pittston Minerals Group - Basic - (0.32)
<F2>Pittston Brink's Group - Diluted - 1.47
Pittston BAX Group - Diluted - (1.22)
Pittston Minerals Group - Diluted - (0.32)
</FN>
        




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