<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> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 28
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 399
<ALLOWANCES> 45
<INVENTORY> 202
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,016
<PP&E> 27,175
<DEPRECIATION> 5,038
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 24,113
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2,129
<BONDS> 6,542
0
0
<COMMON> 5
<OTHER-SE> 7,409
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 24,113
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 6,788
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 5,224
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 117
<INCOME-PRETAX> 1,169
<INCOME-TAX> 444
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 725
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 725
<EPS-BASIC> 1.72
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.72
</TABLE>