<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 SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          65,595
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  544,746
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     73,899
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,013,908
<PP&E>                                       6,797,308
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,532,215
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,183,450
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,657,827
<BONDS>                                      2,269,605
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       601,746
<OTHER-SE>                                     479,740
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,183,450
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,697,055
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,511,468
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             100,173
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 85,414
<INCOME-TAX>                                    33,124
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             52,290
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    52,290
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.74<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.74
<FN>
<F1>(EPS-PRIMARY DENOTES BASIC EPS)
</FN>