<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF DISPATCH MANAGEMENT 
SERVICES CORP. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH UNAUDITED
COMBINED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          13,536
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,268
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                38,879
<PP&E>                                           4,330
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 136,685
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,454
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           115
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   136,685
<SALES>                                        151,604
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               151,604
<CGS>                                           94,141
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   52,544
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  92
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,828
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,181
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,647
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,647
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.25