<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ROADWAY
EXPRESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTER
ENDED MARCH 27, 1999 (UNAUDITED) AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-27-1999
<CASH>                                          67,384
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  274,325
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               363,094
<PP&E>                                       1,339,577
<DEPRECIATION>                                 982,276
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 756,579
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          329,294
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              206
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     254,661
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   756,579
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               605,278
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  591,806
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (455)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,927
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,988
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,939
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,939
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.42