<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT OF C.H. ROBINSON, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          42,567                  40,288
<SECURITIES>                                    42,711                  50,225
<RECEIVABLES>                                  181,014                 215,441
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,079                  11,130
<INVENTORY>                                      6,698                   5,018
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               280,422                 321,058
<PP&E>                                          36,608                  38,958
<DEPRECIATION>                                (13,561)                (15,821)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 320,780                 361,160
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          166,352                 189,794
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                         4,137                   4,126
<OTHER-SE>                                     150,291                 167,240
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   320,780                 361,160
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,605,905                 855,152
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,555,876                 828,461
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 5,139                   2,287
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 53,124                  28,572
<INCOME-TAX>                                    20,682                  11,339
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             32,442                  17,233
<DISCONTINUED>                                   2,158                     900
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    34,600                  18,133
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .83                     .44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .83                     .44