<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM JANUARY 3,
1999 MSX INTERNATIONAL, INC. 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-03-1999
<CASH>                                           4,248
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  208,451
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      2,362
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               221,581
<PP&E>                                          87,128
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (51,863)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 356,724
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          161,770
<BONDS>                                        180,356
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           36,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     (26,105)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   356,724
<SALES>                                      1,081,042
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,081,042
<CGS>                                          997,014
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  997,014
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                60,773
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,416
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,839
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,068
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,771
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,771
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0