<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN AND SANTA FE RAILWAY COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000015511
<NAME> THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN AND SANTA FE RAILWAY COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 146
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 435
<ALLOWANCES> 43
<INVENTORY> 204
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,149
<PP&E> 26,784
<DEPRECIATION> 4,898
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 23,963
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,922
<BONDS> 4,129
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 9,989
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 23,963
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 4,470
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 3,479
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 154
<INCOME-PRETAX> 837
<INCOME-TAX> 314
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 523
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 523
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>