<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