<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM DRAVO
CORPORATION'S SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                             885
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    26578
<ALLOWANCES>                                       143
<INVENTORY>                                      15214
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 42820
<PP&E>                                          241245
<DEPRECIATION>                                  117243
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  223815
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            35406
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                         15081
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            20000
<PREFERRED>                                         25
<OTHER-SE>                                       73463
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    223815
<SALES>                                         118325
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                118325
<CGS>                                            88707
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    88707
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                4911
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  10506
<INCOME-TAX>                                       316
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              10190
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     10190
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0