<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF C.H. ROBINSON WORLDWIDE, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          99,341
<SECURITIES>                                    30,730
<RECEIVABLES>                                  233,433
<ALLOWANCES>                                    12,412
<INVENTORY>                                      3,488
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               374,843
<PP&E>                                          41,285
<DEPRECIATION>                                  21,801
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 409,116
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          239,598
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,119
<OTHER-SE>                                     165,399
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   409,116
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,038,139
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,792,473
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 6,902
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 71,287
<INCOME-TAX>                                    28,272
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             43,015
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    43,015
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.04
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.04