<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Portec, Inc.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                            4614
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     4493
<ALLOWANCES>                                       125
<INVENTORY>                                       2972
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 50392
<PP&E>                                            7960
<DEPRECIATION>                                    3766
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   57477
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            16099
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                          4411
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     57477
<SALES>                                          19261
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 19302
<CGS>                                            11244
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    17575
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 533
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   1194
<INCOME-TAX>                                       485
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                709
<DISCONTINUED>                                    2811
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      3520
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .78
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .78