CSX TRANSPORTATION INC
10-Q, 1997-10-29
RAILROADS, LINE-HAUL OPERATING
Previous: SCUDDER INVESTMENT TRUST, NT-NSAR, 1997-10-29
Next: SERVICO INC, S-4, 1997-10-29



                                    FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


(X)      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

         For the quarter ended September 26, 1997

         OR

(  )     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

         For the transition period from __________ to __________


                          Commission File Number 1-3359

                            CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC.
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

              Virginia                                 54-6000720
  -------------------------------                  ------------------
  (State or other jurisdiction of                   (I.R.S. Employer
   incorporation or organization)                  Identification No.)


500 Water Street, Jacksonville, Florida                   32202
- ----------------------------------------               ----------
(Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)

                                (904) 359-3100
             ----------------------------------------------------
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                    No Change
              ----------------------------------------------------
              (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                         if changed since last report.)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes (X) No ( )

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of September 26, 1997: 9,061,038 shares.

REGISTRANT  MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL  INSTRUCTION H (1) (a) AND
(b) OF FORM 10-Q AND IS THEREFORE  FILING THIS FORM WITH THE REDUCED  DISCLOSURE
FORMAT.











                                    - 1 -


<PAGE>


                            CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC.
                                    FORM 10-Q
                FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 26, 1997
                                      INDEX




                                                                     Page Number
                                                                     -----------
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1:

Financial Statements

1.       Consolidated Statement of Earnings-
           Quarters Ended September 26, 1997 and September 27, 1996       3

2.       Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows-
           Nine Months Ended September 26, 1997 and September 27, 1996    4

3.       Consolidated Statement of Financial Position-
           At September 26, 1997 and December 27, 1996                    5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                6


Item 2:

Management's Analysis and Results of Operations                          10


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                13

Signature                                                                13






















                                    - 2 -


<PAGE>


                  CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       Consolidated Statement of Earnings
                              (Millions of Dollars)



                                                     (Unaudited)
                                       Quarters Ended         Nine Months Ended
                                   ----------------------- ---------------------
                                   Sept. 26,   Sept. 27    Sept. 26,   Sept. 27,
                                      1997        1996        1997        1996
                                   ----------- ----------- ---------------------

OPERATING REVENUE
   Merchandise                     $   794     $   772      $ 2,461     $ 2,374
   Coal                                390         404        1,161       1,178
   Other                                31          35           93         109
                                   --------    --------     --------    --------

      Total                          1,215       1,211        3,715       3,661
                                   --------    --------     --------    --------

OPERATING EXPENSE
   Labor and Fringe Benefits           480         474        1,430       1,424
   Materials, Supplies and Other       239         251          715         759
   Equipment Rent                       87          89          259         278
   Depreciation                        108         104          325         308
   Fuel                                 66          69          223         217
                                   --------    --------     --------    --------

      Total                            980         987        2,952       2,986
                                   --------    --------     --------    --------

OPERATING INCOME                       235         224          763         675

Other Income (Expense)                  14           5            8          29

Interest Expense                        18          16           53          55
                                   --------    --------     --------    --------

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES           231         213          718         649

Income Tax Expense                      95          80          280         245
                                   --------    --------     --------    --------

NET EARNINGS                       $   136     $   133      $   438     $   404
                                   ========    ========     ========    ========





See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.















                                    - 3 -


<PAGE>


                  CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
                              (Millions of Dollars)



                                                            (Unaudited)
                                                         Nine Months Ended
                                                     ------------------------
                                                       Sept. 26    Sept. 27,
                                                          1997        1996
                                                       ------------------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
   Net Earnings                                        $  438     $  404
   Adjustments to Reconcile Net Earnings
     to Net Cash Provided
      Depreciation                                        325        309
      Deferred Income Taxes                               132        151
      Productivity/Restructuring Charge Payments          (35)       (58)
      Other Operating Activities                          (23)       (19)
      Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities
         Accounts Receivable                              (70)       (31)
         Materials and Supplies                           (13)         3
         Other Current Assets                             (35)       (11)
         Accounts Payable                                  21        (15)
         Other Current Liabilities                         14        (65)
                                                       -------    -------

         Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities        754        668
                                                       -------    -------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
   Property Additions                                    (398)      (571)
   Other Investing Activities                               9         97
                                                       -------    -------

         Net Cash Used by Investing Activities           (389)      (474)
                                                       -------    -------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
   Long-Term Debt Issued                                    5        117
   Long-Term Debt Repaid                                  (60)       (67)
   Dividends Paid                                        (104)      (471)
   Other Financing Activities                              (3)        61
                                                       -------    -------

         Net Cash Used by Financing Activities           (162)     ( 360)
                                                       -------    -------

   Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and                
    Cash Equivalents                                      203      ( 166)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
   Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period       207        633
                                                       -------    -------

   Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period          $  410     $  467
                                                       =======    =======



See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.







                                    - 4 -

<PAGE>


                  CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
                              (Millions of Dollars)


                                                (Unaudited)
                                                 Sept. 26,     Dec. 27,
                                                   1997         1996
                                                 --------     --------  
ASSETS
   Current Assets
      Cash and Cash Equivalents                  $   410      $   207
      Accounts Receivable                            151           62
      Materials and Supplies                         134          121
      Deferred Income Taxes                          124          183
      Other Current Assets                            76           41
                                                 --------     --------

         Total Current Assets                        895          614

      Properties-Net                               9,810        9,750
      Affiliates and Other Companies                 180          148
      Other Long-Term Assets                         300          288
                                                 --------     --------

         Total Assets                            $11,185      $10,800
                                                 ========     ========

LIABILITIES
   Current Liabilities
      Accounts Payable                           $   569      $   547
      Labor and Fringe Benefits Payable              330          353
      Casualty, Environmental and Other Reserves     187          199
      Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt            72           77
      Due to Parent Company                           24           25
      Due to Affiliate                                90           90
      Other Current Liabilities                       72           37
                                                 --------     -------- 

         Total Current Liabilities                 1,344        1,328

      Casualty, Environmental and Other Reserves     596          597
      Long-Term Debt                                 867          886
      Deferred Income Taxes                        2,567        2,493
      Other Long-Term Liabilities                    664          684
                                                 --------     -------- 

         Total Liabilities                         6,038        5,988
                                                 --------     -------- 

SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
   Common Stock, $20 Par Value:
      Authorized 10,000,000 Shares;
      Issued and Outstanding 9,061,038 Shares        181          181
   Other Capital                                   1,263        1,263
   Retained Earnings                               3,703        3,368
                                                 --------     -------- 

         Total Shareholder's Equity                5,147        4,812
                                                 --------     -------- 

         Total Liabilities and                         
          Shareholder's Equity                   $11,185      $10,800
                                                 ========     ======== 


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



                                    - 5 -


<PAGE>


                  CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
                       (All Tables in Millions of Dollars)

NOTE 1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

      In the opinion of  management,  the  accompanying  consolidated  financial
statements  contain all  adjustments  necessary to present  fairly the financial
position of CSX Transportation,  Inc. (CSXT) and its majority-owned subsidiaries
at September 26, 1997 and December 27, 1996, the results of their operations for
the quarters and nine months ended  September  26, 1997 and  September 27, 1996,
and their cash flows for the nine months ended  September 26, 1997 and September
27,  1996,  such  adjustments  being of a  normal  recurring  nature.  CSXT is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of CSX Corporation (CSX).

      While management  believes that the disclosures  presented are adequate to
make the  information  not  misleading,  it is  suggested  that these  financial
statements be read in  conjunction  with the financial  statements and the notes
included in CSXT's latest Form 10-K.

NOTE 2.  FISCAL REPORTING PERIODS

      The  company's  fiscal  year is  composed  of 52 weeks  ending on the last
Friday in  December.  The  financial  statements  presented  are for the 13-week
quarters and 39-week  periods  ended  September 26, 1997 and September 27, 1996,
and the fiscal year ended December 27, 1996.

NOTE 3.  ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

      The  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board has issued  Statement No. 130
"Reporting  Comprehensive Income," which the company will adopt during the first
quarter of 1998. The Statement  establishes  standards for reporting and display
of   comprehensive   income  and  its   components   in  financial   statements.
Comprehensive  income generally  represents all changes in shareholder's  equity
except those resulting from  investments by or  distributions  to  shareholders.
With the exception of net earnings,  such changes are generally not  significant
to the company;  and the adoption of Statement  No. 130,  including the required
comparative  presentation for prior periods,  is not expected to have a material
impact on its financial statements.


NOTE 4.  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

         CSXT has an ongoing agreement to sell without recourse,  on a revolving
basis each month,  an undivided  percentage  ownership  interest in all its rail
freight accounts receivable to CSX Trade Receivables Corporation, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of CSX.  Accounts  receivable sold under this agreement  totaled $608
million  at  September  26,  1997 and $644  million at  December  27,  1996.  In
addition,  CSXT has a revolving  agreement with a financial  institution to sell
with recourse on a monthly basis an undivided  percentage  ownership interest in
all  miscellaneous  accounts  receivable.  Accounts  receivable  sold under this
agreement  totaled $46 million at September 26, 1997 and December 27, 1996.  The
sales of  receivables  have been  reflected as reductions of "Accounts and Notes
Receivable" in the Consolidated  Statement of Financial Position. The net losses
associated  with sales of  receivables  were $13 million and $42 million for the
quarter and nine months ended September 26, 1997, respectively,  and $14 million
and $41  million  for the quarter and nine  months  ended  September  27,  1996,
respectively.

      The company  adopted FASB Statement No. 125  "Accounting for Transfers and
Servicing of Financial  Assets and  Extinguishments  of Liabilities"  during the
first quarter of 1997.  Adoption of the  pronouncement,  which  established  new
guidelines for accounting and disclosure  related to transfers of trade accounts
receivable and other  financial  assets,  did not have a material  impact on the
company's financial statements.




                                    - 6 -

<PAGE>


                  CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), Continued
                       (All Tables in Millions of Dollars)

NOTE 5.  OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

                                         Quarters Ended     Nine Months Ended
                                        -----------------   -----------------
                                        Sept.26,  Sept.27,  Sept. 26,  Sept. 27,
                                         1997      1996        1997      1996
                                        -------   -------    -------    -------

Interest Income                          $   8     $   8      $  21     $  31
Income from Real Estate Operations(1)       23         8         29        33
Net Losses from Accounts Receivable        (13)      (14)       (42)      (41)
  Sold
Miscellaneous                               (4)        3         --         6
                                         ------    ------     ------    ------

    Total                                $  14     $   5      $   8     $  29
                                         ======    ======     ======    ======


(1)Gross  revenue  from real estate  operations  was $30 million and $50 million
   for the quarter and nine months ended September 26, 1997,  respectively,  and
   $13 million and $52 million for the quarter and nine months  ended  September
   27, 1996, respectively.

NOTE 6.  CONRAIL TRANSACTION

      During the second  quarter of 1997, CSX and Norfolk  Southern  Corporation
(Norfolk  Southern)  completed the joint  acquisition of Conrail Inc.  (Conrail)
pursuant to an agreement  between the companies  dated April 8, 1997.  Under the
agreement,  CSX and Norfolk Southern hold investments in Conrail of 42% and 58%,
respectively,  through a jointly-owned  acquisition  entity.  The Conrail shares
held by the joint acquisition  entity have been placed in a voting trust pending
approval of the transaction by the Surface  Transportation  Board (STB). In June
1997,  supplemental  agreements governing the legal structure of the transaction
and  operations  of the Conrail  rail system  subsequent  to STB  approval  were
completed.  CSXT is a party to certain of those  agreements which will generally
become  operative at the time CSX and Norfolk  Southern are permitted by the STB
to exercise control over Conrail.  The terms of these agreements,  the operating
plans of the  respective  companies,  and the  benefits  expected to result from
combining  the  respective  rail systems are  incorporated  in a joint  railroad
control  application  which was filed with the STB on June 23, 1997. The STB has
announced a 350-day review period for the application.  A favorable  decision by
the STB would permit CSX and Norfolk  Southern to exercise  control over Conrail
by mid-1998.

NOTE 7.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

      In September 1997, a state court jury in New Orleans, Louisiana returned a
$2.5 billion  punitive damages award against CSXT. The award was made in a class
action  lawsuit  against a group of nine  companies  based on personal  injuries
alleged  to have  arisen  from a 1987  fire.  The fire was  caused  by a leaking
chemical tank car parked on CSXT tracks and resulted in the  evacuation of a New
Orleans  neighborhood.  The facts of the case indicate that the damages  awarded
are extremely high, and CSXT has excellent grounds for appeal.  CSXT is pursuing
an  aggressive  strategy  on all legal  fronts and  believes  that the  punitive
damages  award will be set aside or reduced  so  substantially  that it will not
have any material  long-term  financial  impact on CSXT. At this time, it is not
possible to estimate  the ultimate  impact,  if any,  from the punitive  damages
award, and no charge to earnings has been recorded.  In the same case, the court
awarded  a group of 20  plaintiffs  compensatory  damages  of  approximately  $2
million against the  defendants,  including CSXT, to which the jury assigned 15%
of the responsibility for the incident. CSXT's liability under that compensatory
damages award is not material,  and adequate provision was made for the award in
a prior year.

      CSXT is a party to  various  proceedings  involving  private  parties  and
regulatory agencies related to environmental issues. CSXT has been identified as
a  potentially  responsible  party (PRP) at  approximately  119  environmentally
impaired sites that are or may be subject to remedial action under

                                    - 7 -

<PAGE>


                  CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), Continued
                       (All Tables in Millions of Dollars)

NOTE 7.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES, Continued

the Federal Superfund statute (Superfund) or similar state statutes. A number of
these  proceedings  are  based on  allegations  that  CSXT,  or its  predecessor
railroads, sent hazardous substances to the facilities in question for disposal.
Such  proceedings  arising under Superfund or similar state statutes can involve
numerous other waste  generators and disposal  companies and seek to allocate or
recover costs  associated with site  investigation  and cleanup,  which could be
substantial.

      CSXT is involved in a number of  administrative  and judicial  proceedings
and other cleanup efforts at approximately 262 sites,  including sites addressed
under the  Federal  Superfund  statute or similar  state  statutes,  where it is
participating   in  the  study   and/or   cleanup   of   alleged   environmental
contamination.  The  assessment  of the required  response  and  remedial  costs
associated  with many sites is extremely  complex.  Cost  estimates are based on
information  available for each site,  financial  viability of other PRPs, where
available, and existing technology, laws and regulations.  CSXT's best estimates
of the  allocation  method  and  percentage  of  liability  when  other PRPs are
involved are based on  assessments  by  consultants,  agreements  among PRPs, or
determinations by the U.S.  Environmental  Protection Agency or other regulatory
agencies.

      At least once each quarter, CSXT reviews its role, if any, with respect to
each such  location,  giving  consideration  to the  nature  of  CSXT's  alleged
connection to the location (e.g., generator,  owner or operator),  the extent of
CSXT's alleged connection (e.g.,  volume of waste sent to the location and other
relevant factors),  the accuracy and strength of evidence connecting CSXT to the
location,  and the number,  connection and financial position of other named and
unnamed PRPs at the  location.  The ultimate  liability for  remediation  can be
difficult to determine with certainty because of the number and creditworthiness
of  PRPs   involved.   Through  the  assessment   process,   CSXT  monitors  the
creditworthiness of such PRPs in determining ultimate liability.

      Based  upon  such  reviews  and  updates  of the  sites  with  which it is
involved,  CSXT has  recorded,  and  reviews at least  quarterly  for  adequacy,
reserves to cover estimated  contingent future  environmental costs with respect
to such sites. The recorded liabilities for estimated future environmental costs
at September 26, 1997 and December 27, 1996, were $108 million and $117 million,
respectively.  These recorded  liabilities  include amounts  representing CSXT's
estimate  of  unasserted  claims,  which CSXT  believes  to be  immaterial.  The
liability  has been accrued for future  costs for all sites where the  company's
obligation  is probable and where such costs can be  reasonably  estimated.  The
liability includes future costs for remediation and restoration of sites as well
as any  significant  ongoing  monitoring  costs,  but excludes  any  anticipated
insurance  recoveries.  The  majority of the  September  26, 1997  environmental
liability is expected to be paid out over the next five to seven  years,  funded
by cash generated from operations.

      The  company  does  not  currently  possess   sufficient   information  to
reasonably estimate the amounts of additional liabilities, if any, on some sites
until completion of future environmental studies. In addition, latent conditions
at any given  location could result in exposure,  the amount and  materiality of
which cannot presently be reliably estimated.  Based upon information  currently
available,  however,  the company believes that its  environmental  reserves are
adequate  to  accomplish  remedial  actions  to  comply  with  present  laws and
regulations,  and  that  the  ultimate  liability  for  these  matters  will not
materially affect its overall results of operations and financial condition.

      A number of legal actions,  other than environmental,  are pending against
CSXT in which claims are made in substantial amounts. While the ultimate results
of  environmental  investigations,  lawsuits and claims involving CSXT cannot be
predicted  with  certainty,  management  does not  currently  expect  that these
matters  will  have a  material  adverse  effect on the  consolidated  financial
position, results of operations and cash flows of the company.




                                    - 8 -


<PAGE>


                  CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), Continued
                       (All Tables in Millions of Dollars)

NOTE 8.  RELATED PARTIES.

      Cash and cash  equivalents  at  September  26, 1997 and December 27, 1996,
includes $428 million and $250 million,  respectively,  representing amounts due
from CSX for CSXT's  participation  in the CSX cash management  plan. Under this
plan,  excess cash is advanced  to CSX for  investment  and CSX makes cash funds
available  to its  subsidiaries  as needed for use in their  operations.  CSX is
committed to repay all amounts due on demand should  circumstances  require. The
companies are charged for borrowings or  compensated  for  investments  based on
returns earned by the plan portfolio.

      Included in Materials, Supplies and Other expense are amounts related to a
management  service fee charged by CSX, data processing related charges from CSX
Technology,  Inc.  (CSX  Technology);  the  reimbursement,  under  an  operating
agreement, from CSX Intermodal,  Inc. (CSXI), for costs incurred by CSXT related
to intermodal operations; charges from Total Distribution Services, Inc. (TDSI),
for services  provided at  automobile  ramps;  and charges from Bulk  Intermodal
Distribution  Services,  Inc.  (BIDS) for  services  provided at bulk  commodity
facilities.  The management  service fee charges by CSX represents  compensation
for certain corporate services provided to CSXT. These services include, but are
not limited to, development of corporate policy and long-range  strategic plans,
allocation of capital, placement of debt, maintenance of employee benefit plans,
internal audit and tax  administration.  The data processing related charges are
compensation  to  CSX  Technology  for  the  development,   implementation   and
maintenance of computer systems,  software and associated  documentation for the
day-to-day  operations  of  CSXT.  CSX  Technology,  CSXI,  TDSI,  and  BIDS are
wholly-owned subsidiaries of CSX. Materials, Supplies and Other expense includes
net  expense of $74  million  and $209  million  for the quarter and nine months
ended  September  26, 1997 and $74 million and $212  million for the quarter and
nine  months  ended  September  27,  1996,  respectively,  relating to the above
arrangements.

        In March 1996,  CSXT entered into a loan  agreement  with CSX  Insurance
Company (CSX  Insurance),  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary of CSX,  whereby CSXT may
borrow up to $100  million  from CSX  Insurance.  The loan is payable in full on
demand.  At September 26, 1997, $90 million was outstanding under the agreement.
Interest  on the loan is payable  monthly at .25% over the LIBOR  rate,  and was
5.91% at September 26, 1997.  Interest expense incurred for the quarter and nine
months ended September 26, 1997 was $1 million and $4 million, respectively, and
$1 million and $3 million for the quarter and nine months  ended  September  27,
1996 respectively, relating to this loan agreement.






















                                    - 9 -


<PAGE>


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S ANALYSIS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

      Net earnings for the third  quarter of 1997 were $136 million  versus $133
million in the prior year period.  The company achieved operating income of $235
million,  5 percent above last year's third quarter.  Total operating revenue of
$1.2  billion was level with 1996's  third  quarter.  Operating  expense for the
quarter decreased 1% to $980 million.

      For the first nine months of 1997, net earnings totaled $438 million, up 8
percent from the prior year  period.  Operating  revenue  rose 1 percent,  while
operating expenses were reduced by 1 percent, resulting in a 13 percent increase
in operating income compared to the 1996 period.


                                       OPERATING INCOME
                                    (Millions of Dollars)
                  -----------------------------------------------------------
                    Quarters Ended               Nine Months Ended
                  --------------------          --------------------
                  Sept. 26,   Sept.27,  Percent Sept. 26,   Sept. 27, Percent
                    1997       1996     Change    1997       1996     Change
                  ---------   --------  ------- ---------   --------  -------
Operating Revenue
  Merchandise     $    794    $   772      3 %  $  2,461    $ 2,374      4%
  Coal                 390        404     (3)%     1,161      1,178     (1)%
  Other                 31         35    (11)%        93        109    (15)%
                  ---------   --------          ---------   --------

    Total            1,215      1,211     -- %     3,715      3,661      1 %

Operating Expense      980        987     (1)%     2,952      2,986     (1)%
                  ---------   --------          ---------   --------

Operating Income  $    235    $   224      5 %  $    763    $   675     13 %
                  =========   ========          =========   ========


      In the third  quarter of 1997,  total coal volume  remained  level at 41.3
million tons; however, coal revenue decreased 3 percent, reflecting an 8 percent
decrease in export coal. Total merchandise carloads for the third quarter rose 4
percent  over  1996,  while  revenue  rose 3  percent.  The food  and  consumer,
agricultural  products  and metals  commodities  each  experienced  double-digit
percentage  gains.  Chemicals  and  minerals  rose  5  percent  and  6  percent,
respectively.  Driving the increases were  market-share  gains from truckers and
continued modest growth in the U.S. economy.

      In the first nine  months of 1997,  CSXT  shipped  123.3 tons of coal,  an
increase of 2 percent over the prior year period.  Total merchandise traffic was
up 4 percent  from 1996,  reflecting  increases  in food and  consumer  products
(11%); metals (13%); chemicals (6%); and autos and parts (4%).

OUTLOOK

      Continuing the trend of the first nine months of the year, CSXT expects to
deliver strong fourth quarter  results,  including an improved  operating ratio.
Strong  merchandise  traffic is expected to offset continued  weakness in export
coal  volume.  The company will  closely  monitor the effects of rail  operating
problems  in  the  western  United  States  to  minimize  their  effect  on  its
operations. The company will continue its focus on customer service, safety, and
cost control to enhance core earning power.

OTHER MATTERS

Conrail Transaction

      During the second  quarter of 1997,  CSXT entered into certain  agreements
pertaining  to the joint  acquisition  of Conrail by CSX and  Norfolk  Southern.
Under these agreements and other agreements to be completed or executed prior to
the date that CSX and Norfolk Southern are

                                    - 10 -


<PAGE>


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S ANALYSIS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

permitted by the STB to exercise control over Conrail,  appropriate  portions of
the Conrail rail system are expected to be integrated with the CSXT system.  The
terms of these agreements,  the operating plans of the respective companies, and
the benefits  expected to result from combining the respective  rail systems are
incorporated in a joint railroad  control  application  which was filed with the
STB on June 23, 1997. A decision on the  application is expected from the STB on
or before June 8, 1998 and, if favorable,  would permit CSX and Norfolk Southern
to exercise control over Conrail by mid-1998. CSXT is activiely planning for the
smooth  integration  of Conrail  operations  into the CSXT rail system after STB
approval.  Key  initiatives  involve all facets of  combining  the two  systems,
including safety;  customer service; train scheduling,  switching,  and routing;
equipment   utilization  and  track  programs;   commuter  and  passenger  rail;
marketing;  technology;  labor agreements;  and administration.  Related capital
improvements  to certain routes and facilities on the CSXT system have also been
initiated.  It is anticipated that operational  integration will take place upon
completion of labor  agreements  with Conrail's  contract  workforce,  currently
expected to be in late 1998 or early 1999.  Additional  information with respect
to the  integration  plans  is  contained  in the  joint  STB  application.  The
application  is a public  document,  available for review in its entirety at the
office of the STB, located at 1925 K Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
20423-0001.

New Orleans Jury Verdict

      In September 1997, a state court jury in New Orleans, Louisiana returned a
$2.5 billion  punitive damages award against CSXT. The award was made in a class
action  lawsuit  against a group of nine  companies  based on personal  injuries
alleged  to have  arisen  from a 1987  fire.  The fire was  caused  by a leaking
chemical  tank car parked on CSXT tracks and resulted in the 36-hour  evacuation
of a New Orleans neighborhood.

      The facts of the case indicate that the damages awarded are extremely high
and CSXT has  excellent  grounds for appeal.  A National  Transportation  Safety
Board (NTSB) investigation concluded that the probable cause of the incident was
improper installation,  maintenance and closing of a gasket at the bottom of the
tank car. CSXT did not manufacture the tank car, did not install the gasket, did
not load the tank car, and did not transport the car. As a common carrier,  CSXT
had a legal  obligation to accept the car, which had been certified by its owner
as safe for carriage of the chemical and inspected by the rail carrier that left
the car on CSXT's track. The fire started  approximately six hours after the car
was placed on CSXT's track,  and federal safety laws did not require  inspection
by CSXT until 48 hours after placement. Although the NTSB issued recommendations
to other parties involved in the incident to prevent similar  occurrences and to
minimize their effects, no such  recommendations were made with respect to CSXT.
Many residents were inconvenienced by the evacuation,  and some were treated for
exposure to the chemical  and the fire,  though the size of the class of persons
claiming injury is in dispute.  Ultimately,  no one suffered serious injury,  no
lives were lost, no significant property damage occurred, and no jobs were lost.

      CSXT is pursuing an  aggressive  strategy on all legal fronts and believes
that the punitive  damages  award will be set aside or reduced so  substantially
that it will  not have any  material  long-term  financial  impact  on CSXT.  To
protect  its right to appeal  the  verdict,  CSXT may be  required  to provide a
surety bond or other form of security  for all or part of the  punitive  damages
award.  Management is taking  appropriate  steps to arrange such security in the
event it is ultimately  required by the court.  At this time, it is not possible
to estimate the ultimate impact, if any, from the punitive damages award, and no
charge to earnings has been recorded.

      In the same case, the court awarded a group of 20 plaintiffs  compensatory
damages of approximately  $2 million against the defendants,  including CSXT, to
which the jury  assigned  15% of the  responsibility  for the  incident.  CSXT's
liability under that  compensatory  damages award is not material,  and adequate
provision was made for the award in a prior year.

Federal Railroad Administration/Rail Labor/CSXT Joint Review on Safety

      On October 16, 1997, the Federal  Railroad  Administration  (FRA) issued a
report on a joint  review on safety on the CSXT  rail  system.  The  review  was
undertaken as a cooperative effort with

                                    - 11 -


<PAGE>


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S ANALYSIS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

CSXT and rail labor, and was conducted between July and September 1997. CSXT and
its labor representatives,  in cooperation with the FRA, are actively addressing
the issues cited in the report and have already  initiated  numerous  actions to
ensure that all issues are fully  resolved.  CSXT has  demonstrated an improving
safety record over time and, in recent years,  has been among the safest Class I
freight railroads in the nation.  The cooperative effort with rail labor and the
FRA reaffirms the commitment to safety by all parties  involved and helps ensure
that  safety  will  remain the top  priority  as CSXT plans the  integration  of
Conrail lines into its system.

                    -------------------------------------

      To the extent that these written statements include predictions concerning
future operations and results of operations, such statements are forward-looking
statements that involve risks and  uncertainties,  and actual results may differ
materially.  Factors that could cause actual  results to differ  materially  are
described in the company's Form 10-K for its most recent fiscal year and include
general economic downturns,  which may limit demand and pricing;  labor matters,
which may impact the costs and feasibility of certain operations;  and commodity
concentrations, which may affect traffic levels.









































                                    - 12 -


<PAGE>


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.     Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

      (a)   Exhibits

            1. (27)  Financial Data Schedule

      (b)   Reports on Form 8-K

            1.   A report  was filed on  September  9, 1997,  reporting  Item 5,
                 Other  Events - issuance  of Press  Release  by the  company on
                 September 8, 1997  related to New Orleans jury award;  and Item
                 7, Financial Information and Exhibits - Press Release issued by
                 the company on September 8, 1997.







                                    Signature


      Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                         CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC.
                                         (Registrant)


                                    By:  /s/JAMES L. ROSS
                                         ----------------
                                         James L. Ross
                                         (Principal Accounting Officer)
Dated:  October 29, 1997
























                                    - 13 -


<TABLE> <S> <C>

 
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-27-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-26-1997
<CASH>                                             410
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      151
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        134
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   895
<PP&E>                                           9,810
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  11,185
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,344
<BONDS>                                            867
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           181
<OTHER-SE>                                       4,966
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    11,185
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 3,715
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,952
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  53
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    718
<INCOME-TAX>                                       280
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                438
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       438
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission