<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXRACTED FROM ROADWAY
EXPRESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR
THE THREE QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 13, 1997 (UNAUDITED) AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-13-1997
<CASH>                                          45,638
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  308,347
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               375,447
<PP&E>                                       1,376,642
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,013,956
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 752,798
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          332,292
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           206
<OTHER-SE>                                     241,538
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   752,798
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,842,244
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,798,867
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   361
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 43,016
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,321
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             23,695
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    23,695
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.15