<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VIAD CORP'S
FORM 10Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          18,327
<SECURITIES>                                   167,112
<RECEIVABLES>                                   98,422
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,769
<INVENTORY>                                     81,386
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               853,754
<PP&E>                                         537,568
<DEPRECIATION>                                 246,216
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,201,655
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,859,082
<BONDS>                                        377,140
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            6,636
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       149,610
<OTHER-SE>                                     571,790
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,201,655
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,188,023
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,048,188
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                14,596
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,950
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                112,363
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,966
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             88,397
<DISCONTINUED>                                 218,954
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   307,351
<EPS-BASIC>                                       3.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.14