USAIR &lt;U> ACQUIRES 9.9 PCT OF PIEDMONT &lt;PIE>

  USAir Group Inc said it has
  acquired 2,292,599 Piedmont Aviation Inc shares, about 9.9 pct
  on a fully diluted basis, from Norfolk Southern Corp &lt;NSC>.
      The acquisition of Piedmont by USAir has been approved by
  the directors of both companies.
      USAir said it has been advised by Norfolk Southern that the
  company supports the proposed merger and intends to tender all
  of its remaining 1,477,829 Piedmont common shares in response
  to USAir's tender offer which began today. This total includes
  shares issuable upon conversion of Piedmont preferred, USAir
  noted.
      USAir said Piedmont has about 23.1 mln common shares on a
  fully diluted basis, adding its offer is conditioned on the
  tender of at least 9,309,394 shares, representing 40.2 pct of
  the oustanding shares on a diluted basis.
      USAir said the 3,491,030 new shares it has an option to buy
  represent 18.5 pct of Piedmont's currently outstanding shares.
  

