New orders for manufactured durable goods in March, up three consecutive months, increased $26.6 billion or 9.2 percent to $315.7 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This followed a 0.9 percent February increase. Excluding transportation, new orders were virtually unchanged. Excluding defense, new orders increased 10.4 percent. Transportation equipment, also up three consecutive months, led the increase, $26.5 billion or 27.0 percent to $124.6 billion.