<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ROADWAY
EXPRESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTER
ENDED JUNE 19, 1999 (UNAUDITED) AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-19-1999
<CASH>                                          76,495
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  267,044
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               361,699
<PP&E>                                       1,337,007
<DEPRECIATION>                                 971,402
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 769,550
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          331,453
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           206
<OTHER-SE>                                     262,365
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   769,550
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,226,400
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,200,147
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (1,049)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 27,302
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,739
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,563
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,563
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.82