A dilation catheter for treating stenotic regions within a body lumen includes a multi-lobed balloon, the lobes of which extend longitudinally of a catheter robe. The lobes of the balloon of this catheter, when inflated inside the coronary artery stenosis prevent slippage of the balloon into the soft region of the stenosis and cause cracks in the hard region of the stenosis as well. The lobes of the balloon exert interrupted radial compression inside the stenosis. The interrupted radial compression increases the number of cracks in the stenosis.