<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF C.H. ROBINSON WORLDWIDE, INC. 
AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS 
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-K REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          62,497
<SECURITIES>                                    10,428
<RECEIVABLES>                                  215,679
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,936
<INVENTORY>                                      3,109
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               310,689
<PP&E>                                          39,363
<DEPRECIATION>                                  18,637
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 340,628
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          201,647
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,126
<OTHER-SE>                                     134,855
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   340,628
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,790,785
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,734,050
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                24,656
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,870
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,006
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,514
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,492
<DISCONTINUED>                                  16,095
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    27,587
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.67