<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM DRAVO
CORPORATION'S SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                            1749
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    20985
<ALLOWANCES>                                       589
<INVENTORY>                                      17988
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 41526
<PP&E>                                          260776
<DEPRECIATION>                                  119151
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  243230
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            37439
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                         15100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            20000
<PREFERRED>                                         19
<OTHER-SE>                                       86191
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    243230
<SALES>                                         121025
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                121025
<CGS>                                            90680
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    90680
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                5095
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   9678
<INCOME-TAX>                                       537
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               9141
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      9141
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0