<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule  contains  summary  financial  information  extracted  from the WHX
Corporation  Consolidated  Financial  Statements as of September 30, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                         
<PERIOD-TYPE>                               3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                                   JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                     SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                                                 1,761
<SECURITIES>                                                         552,307
<RECEIVABLES>                                                         25,147
<ALLOWANCES>                                                           1,405
<INVENTORY>                                                          284,069
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                     875,022
<PP&E>                                                             1,113,675
<DEPRECIATION>                                                       373,875
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                     2,004,217
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                604,795
<BONDS>                                                              267,874
<COMMON>                                                                 204
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                      0
<PREFERRED>                                                              589
<OTHER-SE>                                                           609,803
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                       2,004,217
<SALES>                                                              144,612
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                     144,612
<CGS>                                                                172,926
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                        288,070
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                           0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                           0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                     7,594
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                    (140,595)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                        (49,208)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                 (91,387)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                            0
<CHANGES>                                                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                                                        (91,387)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                         (4.47)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                         (4.47)