
<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, 1997, 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                   SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                                              59,992
<SECURITIES>                                                         1,662
<RECEIVABLES>                                                      536,602
<ALLOWANCES>                                                        18,734
<INVENTORY>                                                         52,743
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                   754,922
<PP&E>                                                           1,150,117
<DEPRECIATION>                                                     513,828
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   2,016,047
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                              622,285
<BONDS>                                                            269,146
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                                          1,138
<COMMON>                                                            69,914
<OTHER-SE>                                                         582,296
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     2,016,047
<SALES>                                                            467,693
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                 2,482,279
<CGS>                                                              451,586
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                    2,366,390
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                     6,838
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                  19,268
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                    103,949
<INCOME-TAX>                                                        31,608
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                 72,341
<DISCONTINUED>                                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                                        72,341
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                            0<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                            0<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Pittston Brink's Group - Basic - 1.37
Pittston BAX Group - Basic - 0.99
Pittston Minerals Group - Basic - (0.23)
<F2>Pittston Brink's Group - Diluted - 1.35
Pittston BAX Group - Diluted - 0.96
Pittston Minerals Group - Diluted - (0.23)
</FN>
        


</TABLE>
