U.S. stocks turned flat in choppy trade on Thursday as investors paused following a 3-day run-up.

* Initially the market was boosted by data that showed factory activity in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region rose in September to the highest level since June 2007.

* The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 5.59 points, or 0.06 percent, at 9,797.30. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 0.14 points, or 0.01 percent, at 1,068.62. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 1.71 points, or 0.08 percent, at 2,131.44.

(Reporting by Ellis Mnyandu; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)