Exhibit 5




                                                    May 10, 1994




The Pittston Company
100 First Stamford Place
Stamford, CT  06912

Dear Sirs:

                In my capacity as Assistant General Counsel
of The Pittston Company (the "Company"), I am familiar
with the 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Key
Employees' Deferred Compensation Program and the 1988
Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated (the
"Plans"), and have examined originals or copies of such
documents and corporate records as I have deemed
necessary or advisable for purposes of this opinion.

                I have also participated in the preparation
of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8
(the "Registration Statement") relating to shares of
Pittston Services Group Common Stock, par value $1.00
per share (the "Services Stock"), and Pittston Minerals
Group Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
("Minerals Stock").

                Based on the foregoing, I am of the opinion
that such shares of Services Stock and Minerals Stock
will, when sold in accordance with the Plans (assuming
that, at the time of such issuance, the Company has a
sufficient number of authorized and unissued shares
available therefor), be legally issued and fully paid
and nonassessable.

                I hereby consent to the use of this opinion
in connection with the Registration Statement referred
to above.

                                 Very truly yours,

                                 PETER LATERZA