<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM WESTINGHOUSE
AIR BRAKE COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           3,323
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  132,901
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    103,560
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               262,961
<PP&E>                                         214,461
<DEPRECIATION>                                (89,480)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 596,184
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          167,550
<BONDS>                                        437,238
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           474
<OTHER-SE>                                    (34,327)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   596,184
<SALES>                                        670,909
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               670,909
<CGS>                                          451,730
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  114,513
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   919
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              31,217
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 72,530
<INCOME-TAX>                                    27,561
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             44,969
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (3,315)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    41,654
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.62