Driven by decade-high oil prices, industry leader Baker Hughes Incorporated reported operating profit after tax from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2000, excluding non-operational items, was $70.6 million, up 456% compared with $12.7 million for the third quarter of 1999, and up 72% compared with $41 million for the second quarter of 2000. Net income for the third quarter of 2000 was $66.7 million compared to $13.2 million for the third quarter of 1999. Results for the third quarter of 2000 include the impact of losses, net of tax, totaling $3.9 million related to the company's holdings of Varco International, Inc. stock and the sale of the Norward product line of Baker Atlas. Michael E.