<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
     RYDER SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
     AND STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND
     IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                              96,485
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      598,455
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                         63,848
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,095,302
<PP&E>                                           6,399,722
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,524,024
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   5,605,928
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,222,323
<BONDS>                                          2,167,903
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                           470,420
<OTHER-SE>                                         627,195
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     5,605,928
<SALES>                                                  0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,335,895
<CGS>                                                    0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,231,824
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  46,883
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     57,188
<INCOME-TAX>                                        23,522
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 33,666
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                        33,666
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            0