<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LABOR READY, INC. AT DECEMBER 31, 1998
AND FOR THE YEAR THEN ENDED.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          25,940
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   69,702
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,218
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               105,933
<PP&E>                                          26,340
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,069
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 130,736
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           34,842
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        854
<COMMON>                                        54,131
<OTHER-SE>                                      25,512
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   130,736
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               606,895
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  422,924
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               142,051
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 8,274
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 256
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 33,390
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,591
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,799
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,799
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .71
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .69