<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ROADWAY
EXPRESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTER
ENDED MARCH 28, 1998 (UNAUDITED)
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-28-1998
<CASH>                                          73,853
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  278,718
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               371,902
<PP&E>                                       1,360,761
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,004,532
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 751,878
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          326,453
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           206
<OTHER-SE>                                     254,998
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   751,878
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               621,663
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  610,839
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (702)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,526
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,917
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,609
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,609
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.32