<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated condensed financial statements of XTRA Corporation for the period
ended September 30, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                       7,700,000
<SECURITIES>                                   400,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               65,800,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                13,500,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                   1,976,800,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             569,800,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           1,536,800,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                    892,000,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     7,800,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 333,700,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             1,536,800,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           422,500,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              287,100,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               400,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             3,500,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          66,000,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             69,100,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                28,000,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         41,100,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                41,100,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.56