<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 SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<MULTIPLIER>                   1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                       DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                          JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                            JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                  117,798 
<SECURITIES>                            0
<RECEIVABLES>                           593,033
<ALLOWANCES>                            0
<INVENTORY>                             62,356
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                        1,103,905
<PP&E>                                  6,442,063
<DEPRECIATION>                          2,575,378
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                          5,643,182
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                   1,255,168
<BONDS>                                 2,130,614
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                   0
<PREFERRED>                             0
<COMMON>                                471,498
<OTHER-SE>                              665,111
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>            5,643,182
<SALES>                                 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                        2,729,004
<CGS>                                   0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                           2,491,942
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                        0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                      95,771
<INCOME-PRETAX>                         141,291
<INCOME-TAX>                            57,590
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                     83,701
<DISCONTINUED>                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                         0
<CHANGES>                               0
<NET-INCOME>                            83,701
<EPS-PRIMARY>                           1.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                           0