<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-2000
<CASH>                                              94
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,703
<ALLOWANCES>                                       128
<INVENTORY>                                         75
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,457
<PP&E>                                          16,985
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,859
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  18,565
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,937
<BONDS>                                          8,485
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             6
<OTHER-SE>                                       4,795
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    18,565
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                12,492
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   11,454
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (31)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 748
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    321
<INCOME-TAX>                                       418
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (97)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (97)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.16)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.16)