<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 OPERATIONS 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>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                      33,500,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              177,000,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 38,400,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           373,100,000
<PP&E>                                   1,745,800,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             518,600,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           2,434,200,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      437,500,000
<BONDS>                                    805,900,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                  7,100,000
<COMMON>                                     1,100,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 690,100,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             2,434,200,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         1,058,300,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              951,800,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          63,700,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             79,200,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                68,400,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (14,100,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (14,100,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.13)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.13)