<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE, SUBMITTED AS EXHIBIT 27.1 TO FORM 10-Q, 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 STATEMENT.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                      19,700,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              194,100,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 38,300,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           375,400,000
<PP&E>                                   1,759,300,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             532,000,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           2,475,900,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      406,100,000
<BONDS>                                    779,500,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                  7,100,000
<COMMON>                                     1,100,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 780,100,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             2,475,900,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           295,700,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              205,300,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          17,400,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             84,400,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                31,500,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         46,200,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                46,200,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.41