<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ROADWAY
EXPRESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1996 (UNAUDITED) ENDED
JUNE 15, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-15-1996
<CASH>                                          22,657
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  232,839
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               279,646
<PP&E>                                       1,423,862
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,019,750
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 702,491
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          292,354
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                           206
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     211,089
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   702,491
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,049,712
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,037,447
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   510
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,755
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,079
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,676
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,676
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .33