<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE RYDER
SYSTEM, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
AND STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                         115,224
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  366,876
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     60,540
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               961,441
<PP&E>                                       7,193,986
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,679,788
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,052,342
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,072,926
<BONDS>                                      2,610,481
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       560,241
<OTHER-SE>                                     686,321
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,052,342
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,327,951
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,257,408
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              52,816
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,727
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,548
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,179
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,179
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0