<ARTICLE>               5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary  financial  information from The Pittston Company
Form 10Q for the nine months ended  September 30, 2000,  and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.

<MULTIPLIER>                              1,000

                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>           9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                         100,305
<SECURITIES>                                       115
<RECEIVABLES>                                  619,470
<ALLOWANCES>                                    36,972
<INVENTORY>                                     35,791
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               872,239
<PP&E>                                       1,629,317
<DEPRECIATION>                                 700,423
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,427,109
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          910,819
<BONDS>                                        271,940
<COMMON>                                        51,778
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        214
<OTHER-SE>                                     696,886
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,427,109
<SALES>                                        290,118
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,107,565
<CGS>                                          307,607
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,067,644
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                15,885
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              32,690
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 25,303
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,350
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,953
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,953
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.34