<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Dover   
Corporation Quarterly Report to stockholders for the three months ended March
31, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                         519,942
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  634,388
<ALLOWANCES>                                    22,677
<INVENTORY>                                    607,478
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,819,257
<PP&E>                                       1,337,265
<DEPRECIATION>                               (749,665)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,995,099
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,051,234
<BONDS>                                        609,182
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       236,030
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,980,679
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,995,099
<SALES>                                        969,755
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               969,755
<CGS>                                          626,882
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  860,601
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (29)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,623
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                104,764
<INCOME-TAX>                                    35,544
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             69,220
<DISCONTINUED>                                 523,938
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   593,158
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.72