<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM WESTINGHOUSE
AIR BRAKE COMPANY'S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           4,392
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  102,980
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     73,874
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               200,341
<PP&E>                                         191,989
<DEPRECIATION>                                (81,999)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 434,339
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          141,600
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           474
<OTHER-SE>                                    (67,205)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   434,339
<SALES>                                        158,136
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               158,136
<CGS>                                          106,340
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  106,340
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                27,041
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,373
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,513
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,655
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,858
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,858
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .42