<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                         181,357
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,239,647
<ALLOWANCES>                                   289,499
<INVENTORY>                                    107,222
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             6,220,545
<PP&E>                                      16,469,276
<DEPRECIATION>                               6,165,473
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              22,681,424
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        7,489,455
<BONDS>                                     11,498,088
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         6,273
<OTHER-SE>                                   4,396,339
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                22,681,424
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            13,126,920
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               12,586,966
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               268,379
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             769,655
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (162,732)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   232,319
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (395,051)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (2,513)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (397,564)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.65)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.65)