<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE RYDER
SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
AND STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 (RESTATED FOR DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS) AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000               
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997             SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          99,899                 120,052
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  597,121                 436,872
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                     64,399                  59,937
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,027,165               1,476,233
<PP&E>                                       6,021,105               6,398,495
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,316,503               2,459,583
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,373,235               6,017,663
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,151,680                 997,260
<BONDS>                                      1,975,954               2,520,357
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       491,508                 606,681
<OTHER-SE>                                     695,027                 722,226
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,373,235               6,017,663
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,625,457               3,728,199
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,296,604               3,448,502
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             143,194                 159,973
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                185,659                 119,724
<INCOME-TAX>                                    74,602                  50,978
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            111,057                  68,746
<DISCONTINUED>                                  15,447                   (696)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   126,504                  68,050
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.61                    0.84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0