
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF USA WASTE FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                      11,985,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               66,842,000
<ALLOWANCES>                               (4,065,000)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           104,236,000
<PP&E>                                     789,507,000
<DEPRECIATION>                           (225,152,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             836,881,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       97,535,000
<BONDS>                                    488,665,000
<COMMON>                                       539,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                 190,613,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               836,881,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           332,447,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              306,303,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           (4,036,000)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          35,577,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (5,397,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                 3,358,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (8,755,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (8,755,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.17)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.10)
        

</TABLE>
