<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LABOR READY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AT DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND FOR THE YEAR THEN ENDED. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1999 <CASH> 16,845 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 103,615 <ALLOWANCES> (9,899) <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 134,931 <PP&E> 41,570 <DEPRECIATION> (10,838) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 174,481 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 37,197 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 854 <COMMON> 62,928 <OTHER-SE> 47,354 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 174,481 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 850,873 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 587,366 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 206,100 <LOSS-PROVISION> 15,998 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 979 <INCOME-PRETAX> 40,430 <INCOME-TAX> 15,853 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 24,577 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> (1,453) <NET-INCOME> 23,124 <EPS-BASIC> 0.54 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.53