In analyzing and classifying data from a statistical perspective, fuzzy sets and logic have become a valuable tool either to model and handle imprecise data or to establish flexible techniques to deal with precise data.From the very beginning of his 52 years-old theory, Professor Zadeh highlighted that "Probability theory/statistics and fuzzy logic should be viewed as complementary rather than competitive," and he anticipated and encouraged the materialization of such a complementarity. Nowadays, this assertion is a reality, as shown by the many related papers, specialized conferences, special sessions and tracks in general conferences, and so on.This special issue started in 2015, with the 50th anniversary of the seminal paper on fuzzy sets by Zadeh (1965), aiming to collect a sample of research papers about the current trends on the combination of fuzzy sets/logic and data analysis/classification. When this special issue was almost ready for publication, Zadeh unfortunately passed away at age 96 (February 4, 1921-September 6, 2017. We wish this special issue to be dedicated to Professor Zadeh, as a modest part of the many tributes that he will receive, and intending to show that fuzzy sets/logic and data analysis/classification can certainly work in synergy.