<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE RYDER
SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AND
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                         111,678
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  550,982
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     74,588
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,130,740
<PP&E>                                       5,537,675
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,971,484
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,619,522
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,450,311
<BONDS>                                      1,680,263
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       520,154
<OTHER-SE>                                     709,879
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,619,522
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,979,615
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,764,562
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             117,263
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 97,790
<INCOME-TAX>                                    36,182
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             61,608
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    61,608
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.04
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.03