<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE, SUBMITTED AS EXHIBIT 27.1 TO FORM 10-K, CONTAINS
SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEET AND STATEMENT OF INCOME OF KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN INDUSTRIES, INC.,
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-4717, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                      22,900,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              141,400,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 3,300,000
<INVENTORY>                                 39,300,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           292,100,000
<PP&E>                                   1,710,600,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             491,300,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           2,084,100,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      244,600,000
<BONDS>                                    637,500,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                  7,100,000
<COMMON>                                       400,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 708,200,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             2,084,100,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           847,300,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              643,400,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,400,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          59,600,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            237,300,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                70,600,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        150,900,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               150,900,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.92
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0