<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM WASTE
CONNECTIONS, INC. AND PREDECESSORS 1999 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                           2,393
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   28,440
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,333
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                34,356
<PP&E>                                         334,762
<DEPRECIATION>                                (31,392)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 617,294
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           44,086
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           211
<OTHER-SE>                                     218,328
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   617,294
<SALES>                                        182,618
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               182,618
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  150,975
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    66
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,480
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 20,097
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,902
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,195
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,195
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.46