SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
_____________
SCHEDULE 13G
INFORMATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO RULES 13d-1 AND 13d-2
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
SMITHWAY MOTOR EXPRESS
(Name of Issuer)
COMMON STOCK
(Title of Class of Securities)
832653109
(CUSIP Number)
The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required in the
remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose
of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise
subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to
all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes.)
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 13G Page of Pages
832653109
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Lord, Abbett & Co.
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS 13-5620131
(entities only)
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) x
(b) __
3 SEC USE ONLY
4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION NEW YORK
NUMBER OF 5 SOLE VOTING POWER 530,285
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH
6 SHARED VOTING POWER 0
7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 530,285
8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 0
9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH
REPORTING PERSON 530,285
10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES
CERTAIN SHARES* N/A
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9) 10.51%
12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IA:PN
<PAGE>
Item 1.
(a) See Front Cover Page
(b) Rural Route #5
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Item 2.
(a) Lord Abbett & Co.
(b) 767 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10153
(c) New York
(d) See Front Cover Page
(e) See Front Cover Page
Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b), or 13d-2(b), check
whether the person filing is a:
(e) Investment Advisor registered under section 203 of the Investment Company
Act of 1940
Item 4. Ownership
(a) See No. 9
(b) See No. 11
(c)
(i) See No. 5
(ii) See No. 6
(iii) See No. 7
(iv) See No. 8
Item 5. Owner of Five Percent or Less of a Class
N/A
Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person
N/A
Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the
Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company
N/A
Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group
N/A
<PAGE>
Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group
N/A
Item 10. Certification
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the
securities referred to above were acquired in the ordinary course of business
and were not acquired for the purpose of and do not have the effect of changing
or influencing the control of the issuer of such securities and were not
acquired in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having such
purpose or effect.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
November 16, 1998
Date
/s/ Paul A. Hilstad
Signature
General Counsel
Name/Title
