<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
ROADWAY EXPRESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1996 ENDED SEPTEMBER 7, 1996 (UNAUDITED).
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-07-1996
<CASH>                                          21,413
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  247,243
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               289,334
<PP&E>                                       1,411,902
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,017,899
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 701,291
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          294,163
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                           206
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     214,469
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   701,291
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,590,654
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,568,394
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   874
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,386
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,130
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,256
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,256
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .55