<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE RYDER
SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AND
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          55,244
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  605,756
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     69,959
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,064,662
<PP&E>                                       6,534,279
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,525,902
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,950,846
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,595,394
<BONDS>                                      2,111,139
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       609,482
<OTHER-SE>                                     483,546
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,950,846
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,320,648
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,235,831
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              48,652
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 36,165
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,025
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,140
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,140
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.31<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.31
<FN>
<F1>TAG (EPS-PRIMARY DENOTES BASIC EPS)
</FN>