<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BURLINGTON
NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000934612
<NAME> BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION
<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> 26
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 368
<ALLOWANCES> 43
<INVENTORY> 204
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 967
<PP&E> 26,856
<DEPRECIATION> 4,897
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 23,896
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,963
<BONDS> 6,565
0
0
<COMMON> 5
<OTHER-SE> 7,443
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 23,896
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 4,473
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 3,480
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 219
<INCOME-PRETAX> 751
<INCOME-TAX> 285
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 466
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 466
<EPS-BASIC> 1.08
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.08
</TABLE>