<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
unaudited consolidated financial statements at September 30, 2000 and for
the three months then ended, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001023128
<NAME> Lithia Motors, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. Dollars
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> Jan-1-2000
<PERIOD-END> Sep-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 52,520
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 38,026
<ALLOWANCES> 1,455
<INVENTORY> 261,899
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 356,291
<PP&E> 81,984
<DEPRECIATION> 7,551
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 558,813
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 245,654
<BONDS> 327,794
0
8,915
<COMMON> 108,693
<OTHER-SE> 58,130
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 558,813
<SALES> 1,048,152
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,256,520
<CGS> 946,344
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,055,552
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 152,309
<LOSS-PROVISION> 121
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 18,822
<INCOME-PRETAX> 30,721
<INCOME-TAX> 12,040
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 18,681
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 18,681
<EPS-BASIC> 1.50
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.36
</TABLE>