<ARTICLE> 5 
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SEPTEMBER
27, 1998 MSX INTERNATIONAL, INC. 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-27-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1998
<CASH>                                           3,949
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  164,445
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,681
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               181,856
<PP&E>                                         100,502
<DEPRECIATION>                                (68,673)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 275,057
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          124,423
<BONDS>                                        134,850
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           36,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                    (24,409)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   275,057
<SALES>                                        783,749
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               783,749
<CGS>                                          723,722
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  723,722
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                43,802
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,976
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,249
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,728
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,249
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,521
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0