<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           9,833
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  110,880
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     88,371
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               227,834
<PP&E>                                         209,625
<DEPRECIATION>                                  90,175
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 476,542
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          130,396
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           474
<OTHER-SE>                                    (45,468)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   476,542
<SALES>                                        490,664
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               490,664
<CGS>                                          332,487
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  332,487
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                82,157
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,284
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 53,877
<INCOME-TAX>                                    20,473
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (2,730)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    30,674
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.19