<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ROADWAY
EXPRESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 11, 1999 (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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-11-1999
<CASH>                                          92,594
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  293,869
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               402,363
<PP&E>                                       1,337,130
<DEPRECIATION>                                 971,680
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 809,465
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          361,860
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           206
<OTHER-SE>                                     270,458
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   809,465
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,878,618
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,836,146
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (1,445)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 43,917
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,709
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             25,208
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    25,208
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.32