<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LABOR READY, INC. AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND
1996 AND FOR EACH OF THE TWO YEARS IN THE PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS
QULAIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 DEC-31-1996
<CASH> 22,117 17,598
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 39,465 22,248
<ALLOWANCES> 2,851 1,237
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 65,617 48,534
<PP&E> 13,165 9,256
<DEPRECIATION> 2,839 1,431
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 80,367 64,135
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 15,788 10,961
<BONDS> 76 90
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0
<PREFERRED> 854 854
<COMMON> 49,693 49,517
<OTHER-SE> 7,494 1,221
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 80,367 64,125
<SALES> 0 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 335,409 163,450
<CGS> 0 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 236,667 115,531
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 82,329 42,675
<LOSS-PROVISION> 5,762 2,078
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> (1,871) (340)
<INCOME-PRETAX> 12,522 3,506
<INCOME-TAX> 5,559 1,585
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,963 1,921
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 1,197
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 6,963 724
<EPS-PRIMARY> .25<F1> .03<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED> .25<F1> .03<F1>
<FN>
<F1>RESTATED FOR THE COMPANY'S 3 FOR 2 STOCK SPLIT EFFECTIVE MAY 11, 1998.
</FN>