pushed the company's third quarter net income up .. percent, the company said yesterday.

Sea Containers, which leases marine containers and operates hotels, ferries and ports, said earnings for the three months to September 30 rose to $17.2 million or $1.19 a share from $15.9 million or $1.17 a share a year earlier.

Sales rose from $146 million to $154 million.

For the nine months to September 30 the company earned $24 million ($1.16 per share) on revenues of $154 million compared to income of $33.7 million ($2.15 per share) on revenue of $330 million in 1993.

The 1993 results were improved by a one-time $13 million sale of assets while earnings per share were diluted by the issue of new shares.

Company president Mr. James Sherwood said the main growth in the company's earnings had come in the leisure division with the company's hotels in Italy and the US enjoying record years. Operating income in the division rose from $2.7 million to $10.1 million, he said.

Earnings in the marine container division edged up in the first nine moths of the year from $51. 8 million to $53.6 million, but the company noted the 1993 results were improved by the one-time sale of assets. Rates have also been increased to offset rising interest costs.