
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE RYDER
SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>               1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                   DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                      JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                        DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                  138,353
<SECURITIES>                                  0
<RECEIVABLES>                           559,141
<ALLOWANCES>                                  0
<INVENTORY>                              67,605
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                      1,109,699
<PP&E>                                6,315,763
<DEPRECIATION>                        2,505,843
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                        5,708,601
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                 1,362,664
<BONDS>                               2,099,697
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                         0
<PREFERRED>                                   0
<COMMON>                                610,543<F1>
<OTHER-SE>                              485,071<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>          5,708,601
<SALES>                                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                      5,188,724
<CGS>                                         0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                         4,732,911
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                              0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                      198,857
<INCOME-PRETAX>                         256,956
<INCOME-TAX>                             97,885
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                     159,071
<DISCONTINUED>                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               0
<CHANGES>                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                            159,071
<EPS-PRIMARY>                              2.18<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                              2.16
        
<FN>
<F1>The cost of stock repurchases has been allocated between common stock and
retained earnings based on the amount of capital surplus at the time of the
stock repurchase. Prior year amounts were reclassified in the consolidated
financial statements to conform with current year presentation.
<F2>(EPS-PRIMARY DENOTES BASIC EPS)
</FN>

</TABLE>
