AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS CORP
10-Q, 1996-05-01
TRUCKING (NO LOCAL)
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<PAGE>
===================================================================


                           UNITED STATES
                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                      Washington, D.C. 20549
                                 
                             FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended     MARCH 31, 1996

                                OR

[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                 to


Commission File Number   34-0-17570
                                 
                                 
                 AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS CORPORATION
      (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                 
               ARKANSAS                     74-2391754
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2200 FORWARD DRIVE, HARRISON, ARKANSAS            72601
(Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (501) 741-9000

                          NOT APPLICABLE
  (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed
                        since last report)

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed
all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such
shorter period that the registrant was required to file such
reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days.
[X]  Yes       [ ]  No

               APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the
issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable
date.

     Number of shares of common stock outstanding at March 31,
1996:  30,979,253.
===================================================================
<PAGE>
                  PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                   Item 1.  Financial Statements
          AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                          (000's omitted)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         MARCH 31,   December 31,
                                           1996         1995
                                        ----------   ----------
                                        (UNAUDITED)    (Note)

<S>                                     <C>          <C> 
ASSETS
Current assets
 Cash and cash equivalents              $   5,554    $   2,642
 Trade receivables, less allowance
  for doubtful accounts
  (1996-$955; 1995-$845)                   65,663       54,119
 Operating supplies and inventories         2,065        2,136
 Prepaid expenses                           9,700        5,504
 Deferred income taxes                      9,556        8,444
 Income taxes receivable                    2,118        4,368
                                        ---------    ---------
  Total current assets                     94,656       77,213

Property and equipment                    557,775      530,589
 Allowances for depreciation
  and amortization (deduction)           (143,779)    (132,887)
                                        ---------    ---------
                                          413,996      397,702
Other assets                                2,882        2,847
                                        ---------    ---------
                                        $ 511,534    $ 477,762
                                        =========    =========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
 Trade accounts payable                 $  13,810    $  10,532
 Accrued expenses                          42,084       33,590
 Current portion of long-term debt         13,179        8,392
                                        ---------    ---------
  Total current liabilities                69,073       52,514

Long-term debt,
 less current portion (Note B)            204,211      189,239

Deferred income taxes                      41,895       40,575

Shareholders' equity
 Common stock, par value $.01 per
  share--authorized 250,000 shares;
  issued and outstanding 30,979 in
  1996 and 30,931 in 1995                     310          309
 Additional paid-in capital                98,832       98,514
 Retained earnings                         97,213       96,611
                                        ---------    ---------
                                          196,355      195,434
                                        ---------    ---------
                                        $ 511,534    $ 477,762
                                        =========    =========
</TABLE>
Note:  The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 1995, has 
been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
          AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
              (000's omitted, except per share data)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Three Months Ended
                                                   March 31
                                                1996     1995
                                              -------------------

<S>                                           <C>        <C>
OPERATING REVENUE                             $166,160   $132,533

OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS
 Salaries, wages and benefits                  101,574     73,407
 Operating supplies and expenses                12,189      8,703
 Operating taxes and licenses                    7,340      5,736
 Insurance                                       6,594      4,800
 Communications and utilities                    3,086      2,549
 Depreciation and amortization                  11,023      8,436
 Rents and purchased transportation             12,114     10,697
 Other                                           7,878      5,949
                                              --------   --------
                                               161,798    120,277
                                              --------   --------
OPERATING INCOME                                 4,362     12,256

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
 Interest expense                               (3,491)    (2,199)
 Interest income                                    16         44
 Gain on disposal of assets                         16          5
 Other, net                                         77         61
                                              --------   --------
                                                (3,382)    (2,089)


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                         980     10,167
                                              --------   --------

FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES
 Current                                            11      1,789
 Deferred                                          367      2,100
                                              --------   --------
                                                   378      3,889
                                              --------   --------

NET INCOME                                    $    602   $  6,278
                                              ========   ========

NET INCOME PER SHARE (NOTE D)                 $   0.02   $   0.20
                                              ========   ========

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING                      31,165     31,376
                                              ========   ========
</TABLE>
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
          AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
          CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                            (UNAUDITED)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Three Months Ended
                                              March 31
                                         1996           1995
                                       -----------------------
                                             (000's omitted)

<S>                                    <C>          <C> 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY
 OPERATING ACTIVITIES                  $   10,266   $   13,606

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 Proceeds from sales of equipment              19           21
 Capital expenditures                     (27,293)     (38,792)
                                       ----------   ----------
 Net cash used by
 investing activities                     (27,274)     (38,771)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 Principal payments on long-term debt      (1,741)      (4,638)
 Proceeds from notes payable
  and long-term borrowings                 21,500       29,500
 Proceeds from issuance
  of common stock                             161          785
                                       ----------   ----------
 Net cash provided by
 financing activities                      19,920       25,647
                                       ----------   ----------

NET INCREASE IN CASH
 AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                  $    2,912   $      482
                                       ==========   ==========
</TABLE>
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
          AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
       NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                            (UNAUDITED)
                                 
                          March 31, 1996

NOTE A - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles for interim financial information and with
the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.
Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes
required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete
financial statements.  In the opinion of Management, all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered
necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating
results of the three month period ended March 31, 1996, are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the
year ending December 31, 1996.  For further information, refer to
the Company's consolidated financial statements and footnotes
thereto included in Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.

NOTE B - LONG-TERM DEBT

As of March 31, 1996, the Company has outstanding borrowings of
$109,000,000 under its existing $125,000,000 unsecured revolving
line of credit.  The proceeds of these borrowings were used for the
purchase of revenue equipment and for the purchase and construction
of terminal facilities.  At March 31, 1996, the amount available
for borrowing under the line of credit was $16,000,000.  In
addition to this credit facility, the Company has obtained letters
of credit totaling $5,870,000 to provide collateral on its self-
insurance plan.

As of March 31, 1996, the Company has outstanding borrowings of
$65,000,000 under an uncommitted Master Shelf Agreement which
provides for the issuance of up to $90,000,000 of senior promissory
notes with an average life not to exceed eight years.

NOTE C - COMMITMENTS

Commitments for the purchase of revenue equipment and the purchase
or construction of terminals aggregated approximately $35,444,000
at March 31, 1996.

NOTE D - EARNINGS PER SHARE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Quarter Ended March 31,
                                             1996           1995
                                          -------------------------
                                            (000's omitted except
                                              per share amounts)

<S>                                       <C>            <C>
Weighted average shares outstanding         30,948         30,564
Net effect of dilutive stock options
 based on treasury stock method                217            812
                                          --------       --------
Total weighted average shares outstanding   31,165         31,376
                                          ========       ========

Net income                                $    602       $  6,278
                                          ========       ========

Earnings per common share and
 common share equivalents                 $   0.02       $   0.20
                                          ========       ========
</TABLE>
Earnings per common share and common share equivalents are computed
by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of
common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding during the
period.
<PAGE>
    Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                Condition and Results of Operations


The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the
percentages of operating expenses and other items to operating
revenue:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Three Months Ended
                                                  March 31
                                                1996     1995
                                              -------- --------

<S>                                            <C>      <C>
Operating revenue                              100.0%   100.0%

Operating expenses and costs
 Salaries, wages and benefits                   61.1%    55.4%
 Operating supplies and expenses                 7.3%     6.6%
 Operating taxes and licenses                    4.4%     4.3%
 Insurance                                       4.0%     3.6%
 Communications and utilities                    1.9%     1.9%
 Depreciation and amortization                   6.6%     6.4%
 Rents and purchased transportation              7.3%     8.1%
 Other                                           4.8%     4.5%
                                              ----------------
  Total operating expenses and costs            97.4%    90.8%
                                              ----------------

Operating income                                 2.6%     9.2%

Interest expense                               (2.1)%   (1.7)%

Other income, net                                0.1%     0.1%
                                              ----------------

Income before income taxes                       0.6%     7.6%

Income taxes                                     0.2%     2.9%
                                              ----------------

Net income                                       0.4%     4.7%
                                              ================
</TABLE>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Revenue

Operating revenue for the three months ended March 31, 1996 was
$166,160,000, up 25.4%, compared to $132,533,000 for the three
months ended March 31, 1995.  This growth in operating revenue was
primarily attributable to a 25.0% increase in tonnage handled by
the Company from new and existing customers.  The primary reasons
for this increase in tonnage were:

- - The Company continued to increase its market penetration into
  existing service territories, particularly those geographic areas
  added during 1995.
- - The increase in intrastate tonnage following the deregulation of
  intrastate commerce effective January 1, 1995.
- - On January 1, 1996, the Company expanded its all-points
  coverage to the states of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West
  Virginia with the opening of twelve new terminals.

Revenue per hundred weight for the first quarter of 1996 was up
only slightly, 0.5%, from levels experienced in the first quarter
of 1995.  However, revenue per hundred weight for the first quarter
of 1996 did show modest improvement over the second half of 1995,
which was characterized by aggressive, discounted pricing in the
less-than-truckload industry.  These aggressive pricing practices
within the industry continued into the early months of 1996.
Partially offsetting these downward pressures on revenue per
hundred weight were the following factors:
<PAGE>
- - A general rate increase of approximately 5.75% effective January 1,
  1996.  General rate increases initially affect approximately 44%
  of the Company's customers.  The remaining customers' rates are
  determined by contracts and guarantees and are negotiated
  throughout the year.
- - The percentage of the Company's total revenue that was derived
  from truckload shipments (greater than 10,000 pounds) declined to
  7.0% in the three months ended March 31, 1996 as compared to 8.1%
  in the three months ended March 31, 1995.

Management expects that growth in operating revenue is sustainable
in the near term.  However, the Company's expansions of service
territory during 1996 are less aggressive than those initiated
during 1995.  Management expects discounted pricing to continue in
the less-than-truckload industry in the near term.  As a result,
any near-term growth will primarily be due to increased tonnage
handled by the Company.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue increased
to 97.4% in the three months ended March 31, 1996 from 90.8% in the
three months ended March 31, 1995.  This overall increase was
primarily attributable to:

- - Salaries, wages and benefits as a percentage of operating
  revenue increased to 61.1% in the three months ended March 31, 1996
  from 55.4% in the three months ended March 31, 1995.  Several
  factors contributed to this increase.  First, the Company continued
  its philosophy of sharing its success with its associates through
  increased wages and enhanced benefit packages.  On March 3, 1996,
  the Company increased the wages of its drivers, dockmen and
  clerical workers by approximately 3.0%.  The second factor was the
  continued expansion of service territory.  Within the expansion
  territories, wages and benefits were disproportionately high in
  relation to operating revenues.  The third factor was the unusually
  inclement weather experienced during the first quarter of 1996.
  The timing of freight flows was impacted by the harsh weather,
  resulting in additional manpower being needed to maintain normal
  operations and service standards.
- - Operating supplies and expenses as a percentage of operating
  revenue increased to 7.3% in the three months ended March 31, 1996
  from 6.6% in the three months ended March 31, 1995.  This increase
  was primarily due to increased fuel prices.  Management expects
  higher fuel prices to continue to adversely affect operating
  supplies and expenses in the near term.

These increases in operating expenses as a percentage of operating
revenue were partially offset by improvements in the following
area:

- - Rents and purchased transportation as a percentage of
  operating revenue decreased to 7.3% in the three months ended March
  31, 1996 from 8.1% in the three months ended March 31, 1995.  This
  improvement was primarily a result of the utilization of Company-
  operated terminals, rather than contractor-operated terminals, in
  expansions of service territory.  In addition, three contractor-
  operated terminals were converted to Company-operated terminals
  during the first quarter of 1996.

Other

Interest expense as a percentage of operating revenue increased to
2.1% in the three months ended March 31, 1996 from 1.7% in the
three months ended March 31, 1995.  This increase was primarily
attributable to increased borrowings incurred by the Company to
finance the expansion of service territory and support growth in
operating revenue.

The effective tax rate of the Company was 38.6% for the first three
months of 1996, up from 38.3% for the same time period of 1995.

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 1996, was $602,000,
down 90.4% from $6,278,000 for the three months ended March 31,
1995.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The continued growth in operating revenue and the expansion of
service territory initiated on January 1, 1996 required significant
capital resources in the three months ended March 31, 1996.
<PAGE>
Capital requirements during the three months ended March 31, 1996
consisted primarily of $27,274,000 in investing activities.  The
Company invested $27,293,000 in capital expenditures during the
three months ended March 31, 1996 comprised of $14,088,000 in
additional revenue equipment, $8,055,000 in new terminal facilities
or the expansion of existing terminal facilities and $5,150,000 in
other capital expenditures.  Management expects capital
expenditures for the full year of 1996 will be approximately
$90,000,000.   However, the amount of capital expenditures required
in 1996 will be dependent on the growth rate of the Company and the
timing and size of any future expansions of service territory.  At
March 31, 1996, the Company had commitments for land, terminals,
revenue and other equipment of approximately $35,444,000.  These
commitments were for the completion of projects in process at March
31, 1996, and for the purchase of additional revenue equipment in
anticipation of increased revenue levels during the remainder of
1996.

The Company provided for its capital resource requirements in the
three months ended March 31, 1996 with cash from operations and
financing activities.  Cash from operations totaled $10,266,000 in
the three months ended March 31, 1996 compared to $13,606,000
provided by operations in the three months ended March 31, 1995.
Financing activities augmented cash flow by $19,920,000 in the
three months ended March 31, 1996 by utilizing the revolving line
of credit.

- - The Company experiences periodic cash flow fluctuations common
  to the industry.  Cash outflows are heaviest during the first part
  of any given year while cash inflows are normally weighted towards
  the last two quarters of the year.  To smooth these fluctuations
  and to provide flexibility to fund future growth, the Company
  utilizes a variable-rate, unsecured revolving line of credit of
  $125,000,000 provided by NationsBank of Texas, N.A., Texas Commerce
  Bank, N.A. and Wachovia Bank of Georgia, N.A.  During the three
  months ended March 31, 1996, the Company utilized this facility to
  provide $15,000,000 of net financing, leaving $16,000,000 available
  for borrowing.  The Company also had $2,500,000 available under its
  short-term, unsecured revolving $7,500,000 line of credit with
  NationsBank of Texas, N.A.  In addition, the Company maintains a
  $10,000,000 line of credit with NationsBank, N.A. to obtain letters
  of credit to back premiums for excess coverage on its self-
  insurance program.  At March 31, 1996, the Company had obtained
  letters of credit totaling $5,870,000 for this purpose.
- - To assist in financing longer-lived assets, the Company has an
  uncommitted Master Shelf Agreement with the Prudential Insurance
  Company of America which provides for the issuance of up to
  $90,000,000 in medium to long-term unsecured notes at an interest
  rate calculated at issuance.  At March 31, 1996, $25,000,000 was
  available, but not committed, under this facility for borrowing.

Management expects that the Company's existing working capital and
its available lines of credit are sufficient to meet the Company's
commitments as of March 31, 1996, and to fund current operating and
capital needs.  However, if additional financing is required,
management believes it will be available.

The Company uses off-balance sheet financing in the form of
operating leases primarily in the following areas; terminal
facilities, revenue equipment and computer equipment.  At March 31,
1996, future rental commitments on operating leases were
$49,985,000.  The Company prefers to utilize operating leases for
these two areas and plans to use them in the future when such
financing is available and suitable.

ENVIRONMENTAL

At March 31, 1996, the Company had no outstanding inquiries with
any state or federal environmental agency.

RECENT EVENTS

On April 8, 1996, the Company announced that effective June 3, 1996
it will increase its all-points coverage to 26 states with the
addition of Minnesota.  Five new terminals will be opened to
complement the two terminals presently operating in Minnesota.
<PAGE>
                               INDEX

          AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                                 
                                 
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.   Financial Statements (unaudited)

     Condensed consolidated balance sheets--March 31, 1996 and
     December 31, 1995

     Condensed consolidated statements of income--Three months
     ended March 31, 1996 and 1995

     Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows--Three months
     ended March 31, 1996 and 1995

     Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements--March
     31, 1996

Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
          Condition and Results of Operations.


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

a)   The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held March 14, 1996.

c)   Listed below is the proposal voted on and number of votes cast
     at the 1996 Annual Shareholders' Meeting:

     1.  TO ELECT DIRECTORS TO THE CLASS WHOSE TERM WILL EXPIRE IN
     1999:

                            FOR      WITHHELD  BROKER NON-VOTES
     Ben A. Garrison    26,746,970    39,082      3,165,960
     Will Garrison      26,723,788    62,264      3,165,960
     Tony Balisle       26,697,512    88,540      3,165,960

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

     (a)  Exhibits:

          (10) Letter Amendment No. 4 to Note Agreement
               with The Prudential Insurance Company of America
               dated March 29, 1996.

               Letter Amendment No. 3 to Master Shelf
               Agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of
               America dated March 29, 1996.

               Second Amendment to Amended and Restated
               Credit Agreement among NationsBank of Texas, N.A.,
               as Agent, the Registrant and its Subsidiary dated
               March 26, 1996.

          (27) Financial Data Schedule

     (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

          The Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K during
          the three month period ended March 31, 1996.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                              AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS CORPORATION
                              (Registrant)


Date:  May 1, 1996            /s/Frank Conner
                              Frank Conner
                              Executive Vice President-Accounting &
                              Finance and Chief Financial Officer


<PAGE>
                 AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS CORPORATION
                    AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS, INC.
                        2200 Forward Drive
                        Harrison, AR 72601


                      LETTER AMENDMENT NO. 4
                                 
                          March 29, 1996


The Prudential Insurance Company
 of America
c/o Prudential Capital Group
1201 Elm St., Suite 4900
Dallas, Texas 75270

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We refer to the Note Agreement dated as of November 3,
1991, as amended (the "AGREEMENT"), among the undersigned, American
Freightways Corporation (formerly known as Arkansas Freightways
Corporation) and American Freightways, Inc. (formerly known as
Arkansas Freightways, Inc.) and you.  Unless otherwise defined
herein, the terms defined in the Agreement shall be used herein as
therein defined.

     It is hereby agreed by you and us as follows:
     
     The Agreement is, effective the date first above written,
     hereby amended as follows:
     
     (a) PARAGRAPH 6A(3).  Paragraph 6A(3) is amended in full to
     read as follows:
     
          6(A)3.  FIXED CHARGE RATIO.  The Companies will not
     permit the ratio of Income Available for Fixed Charges (based
     on the four fiscal quarters prior to the date of
     determination) to Fixed Charges (based on the four fiscal
     quarters prior to the date of determination) to be less than
     (i) for the four fiscal quarters ended March 31, 1996, 1.80 to
     1.00, (ii) for the four fiscal quarters ended June 30, 1996
     and September 30, 1996, 1.65 to 1.00 and (iii) for the four
     fiscal quarters ended December 31, 1996, 1.80 to 1.00 and (iv)
     at any time thereafter, 2.00 to 1.00.

     On and after the effective date of this letter amendment, each
reference in the Agreement to "this Agreement", "hereunder",
"hereof", or words of like import referring to the Agreement, and
each reference in the Notes to "the Agreement", "thereunder",
"thereof", or words of like import referring to the Agreement,
shall mean the Agreement as amended by this letter amendment.  The
Agreement, as amended by this letter amendment, is and shall
continue to be in full force and effect and is hereby in all
respects ratified and confirmed.  The execution, delivery and
effectiveness of this letter amendment shall not, except as
expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power
or remedy under the Agreement nor constitute a waiver of any
provision of the Agreement.
<PAGE>
     This letter amendment may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by any combination of the parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of which counterparts shall be an
original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the same letter amendment.

     If you agree to the terms and provisions hereof, please
evidence you agreement by executing and returning at least a
counterpart of this letter amendment to American Freightways
Corporation, American Freightways, Inc., 2200 Forward Drive,
Harrison, Arkansas 72601, Attention:  Stephen Bruffett.  This
letter amendment shall become effective as of the date first above
written when and if counterparts of this letter amendment shall
have been executed by us and you and you shall have entered into an
amendment to effect substantially the same change with respect to
the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated October 20, 1994,
between the Companies and NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as agent.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS
                                         CORPORATION

                                        By  /s/Frank Conner
                                             Title:

                                        AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS
                                         INC.

                                        By  /s/Frank Conner
                                             Title:
Agreed as of the date
     above written:

THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY
 OF AMERICA


By  /s/Randall Kob
          Vice President


<PAGE>
                 AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS CORPORATION
                    AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS, INC.
                        2200 Forward Drive
                        Harrison, AR 72601


                      LETTER AMENDMENT NO. 3
                                 
                          March 29, 1996


The Prudential Insurance Company
 of America
Pruco Life Insurance Company
c/o Prudential Capital Group
1201 Elm St., Suite 4900
Dallas, Texas 75270

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We refer to the Master Shelf Agreement dated as of September
3, 1993, as amended (the "AGREEMENT"), among the undersigned,
American Freightways Corporation and American Freightways, Inc. and
you.  Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the
Agreement shall be used herein as therein defined.

     It is hereby agreed by you and us as follows:
     
     The Agreement is, effective the date first above written,
     hereby amended as follows:
     
     (a) PARAGRAPH 6A(3).  Paragraph 6A(3) is amended in full to
     read as follows:
     
          6(A)3.  FIXED CHARGE RATIO.  The Companies will not
     permit the ratio of Income Available for Fixed Charges (based
     on the four fiscal quarters prior to the date of
     determination) to Fixed Charges (based on the four fiscal
     quarters prior to the date of determination) to be less than
     (i) for the four fiscal quarters ended March 31, 1996, 1.80 to
     1.00, (ii) for the four fiscal quarters ended June 30, 1996
     and September 30, 1996, 1.65 to 1.00 and (iii) for the four
     fiscal quarters ended December 31, 1996, 1.80 to 1.00 and (iv)
     at any time thereafter, 2.00 to 1.00.

     On and after the effective date of this letter amendment, each
reference in the Agreement to "this Agreement", "hereunder",
"hereof", or words of like import referring to the Agreement, and
each reference in the Notes to "the Agreement", "thereunder",
"thereof", or words of like import referring to the Agreement,
shall mean the Agreement as amended by this letter amendment.  The
Agreement, as amended by this letter amendment, is and shall
continue to be in full force and effect and is hereby in all
respects ratified and confirmed.  The execution, delivery and
effectiveness of this letter amendment shall not, except as
expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power
or remedy under the Agreement nor constitute a waiver of any
provision of the Agreement.
<PAGE>
     This letter amendment may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by any combination of the parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of which counterparts shall be an
original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the same letter amendment.

     If you agree to the terms and provisions hereof, please
evidence you agreement by executing and returning at least a
counterpart of this letter amendment to American Freightways
Corporation, American Freightways, Inc., 2200 Forward Drive,
Harrison, Arkansas 72601, Attention:  Stephen Bruffett.  This
letter amendment shall become effective as of the date first above
written when and if counterparts of this letter amendment shall
have been executed by us and you and you shall have entered into an
amendment to effect substantially the same change with respect to
the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated October 20, 1994,
between the Companies and NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as agent.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS
                                         CORPORATION

                                        By  /s/Frank Conner
                                             Title:

                                        AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS
                                         INC.

                                        By  /s/Frank Conner
                                             Title:
Agreed as of the date
     above written:

THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY
 OF AMERICA


By  /s/Randall Kob
          Vice President

PRUCO LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY


By  /s/Randall Kob



<PAGE>
                      SECOND AMENDMENT TO
             AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT


     THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
(this "Second Amendment"), dated as of March 26, 1996, is entered
into among AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS CORPORATION, an Arkansas
corporation ("AFC"), AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS, INC., an Arkansas
corporation ("AFI"; AFC and AFI are referred to collectively as the
"Companies" and individually as a "Company"), the banks listed on
the signature pages hereof (the "Lenders"), NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS,
N.A., in its capacity as agent (in said capacity, the "Agent").


                           BACKGROUND

     A.        Companies, Lenders and Agent heretofore entered into that
certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of
October 20, 1994, as amended by that certain First Amendment to
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 31, 1995
(said Credit Agreement, as amended, the "Credit Agreement"; the
terms defined in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined
herein shall be used herein as defined in the Credit Agreement).

     B.        Companies, Lenders and Agent desire to make certain
amendments to the Credit Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, conditions
and agreements hereafter set forth, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are all hereby
acknowledged, Companies, Lenders and Agent covenant and agree as
follows:

     1.        AMENDMENTS.

          (a)       The defined term "Applicable LIBOR Margin" is hereby
     added to Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement in proper
     alphabetical order to read as follows:

               "'Applicable LIBOR Margin' means, for any particular
          date for any LIBOR Advance outstanding during the
          (a) Initial Pricing Period, a rate of interest per annum
          equal to 0.625% and (b) the Final Pricing Period, that
          rate of interest per annum equal to the rate set forth
          below opposite the Leverage Ratio which is in effect for
          such particular date.  During the Final Pricing Period,
          such rate of interest applicable to any particular date
          will be determined quarterly by the Agent upon receipt of
          an Officer's Certificate of the Companies setting forth
          the Leverage Ratio (and its computation) as of the last
          day of the most recent fiscal quarter then ended pursuant
          to Section 5.13.  If the Agent shall not have received
          such Officer's Certificate pursuant to Section 5.13 with
          respect to the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter
          then ended, such rate of interest shall be equal to
          1.000% until such time as such Officer's Certificate is
          received.  All such
<PAGE>
          determinations shall be effective on the fifth Business Day
          following receipt of such Officer's Certificate of the
          Companies.

Leverage Ratio                   Applicable LIBOR Margin
Greater than or equal to 3.90    1.000%
to 1.0
Greater than or equal to 3.50    0.875%
to 1.0 but less than 3.90 to
1.0
Greater than or equal to 3.00    0.750%
to 1.0 but less than 3.50 to
1.0
Greater than or equal to 2.25    0.625%
to 1.0 but less than 3.00 to
1.0
Less than 2.25 to 1.0            0.500%"

          (b)       The defined term "Initial Pricing Period" is hereby added
     to Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement in proper alphabetical
     order to read as follows:

               "'Initial Pricing Period' means that period from the
          date of this Agreement to and including the Rate
          Adjustment Date."

          (c)       The defined term "Leverage Ratio" is hereby added to
     Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement in proper alphabetical order
     to read as follows:

               "'Leverage Ratio' means, with respect to Companies
          and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the ratio
          of (a) the sum of Current Debt and Funded Debt as of the
          date of determination to (b) EBITDA for the four fiscal
          quarters ending on the date of determination."

          (d)       The definition of "LIBOR Rate" set forth in Section 1.01
     of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting "0.625%" in
     the first sentence thereof and inserting "the Applicable LIBOR
     Margin" in lieu thereof.

          (e)       The defined term "Rate Adjustment Date" is hereby added
     to Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement in the proper alphabetical
     order to read as follows:

               "'Rate Adjustment Date' means the date five Business
          Days after the date that the Lenders receive the
          financial statements for the quarterly period ending
          March 31, 1996 and Officer's Certificate, as required
          pursuant to Section 5.13."
<PAGE>
          (f)       The defined term "Final Pricing Period" is hereby
     added to Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement in proper
     alphabetical order to read as follows:

               "'Final Pricing Period' means the period from the
          date which is the first day following the end of the
          Initial Pricing Period to the Maturity Date."

          (g)       Section 2.03 of the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in
     its entirety and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

                    "2.03     Fees.  (a)  Subject to Section 8.09
          hereof, the Companies, jointly and severally, agree to
          pay to the Agent, for the Ratable account of the Lenders,
          a commitment fee payable on the average daily amount of
          the Unused Commitment, from the date hereof through the
          Maturity Date (i) during the Initial Pricing Period, at a
          per annum percentage of 0.2000% and (ii) during the Final
          Pricing Period, at the per annum percentages based on the
          following schedule:

Leverage Ratio                                     Percentage
Greater than or equal to 3.90 to 1.0               0.3000%
Greater than or equal to 3.50 to 1.0 but less than 0.2750%
3.90 to 1.0
Greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.0 but less than 0.2500%
3.50 to 1.0
Greater than or equal to 2.25 to 1.0 but less than 0.2000%
3.00 to 1.0
Less than 2.25 to 1.0                              0.1875%

               During the Final Pricing Period, such per annum
          percentage will be determined quarterly by the Agent upon
          receipt of an Officer's Certificate of the Companies
          setting forth the Leverage Ratio (and its computation) as
          of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter then
          ended pursuant to Section 5.13.  If the Agent shall not
          have received such Officer's Certificate pursuant to
          Section 5.13 with respect to the last day of the most
          recent fiscal quarter then ended, such per annum
          percentage shall be equal to 0.3000% until such time as
          such Officer's Certificate is received.  All such
          determinations shall be effective on the fifth Business
          Day following receipt of such Officer's Certificate of
          the Companies.  Such commitment fee shall be payable in
          arrears on each Quarterly Date and on the Maturity Date."

          (h)       Section 5.03 of the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in
     its entirety and the following is inserted in lieu thereof:
<PAGE>
          "At the end of each fiscal quarter indicated below,
          the Companies will not permit the ratio of Income
          Available for Fixed Charges (based on the four fiscal
          quarters immediately prior to the date of determination)
          to Fixed Charges (based on the four fiscal quarters
          immediately prior to the date of determination) to be
          less than the ratio set forth below opposite each such
          fiscal quarter:

Fiscal Quarter                                     Ratio
First fiscal quarter of fiscal year 1996           1.80 to 1
Second and third fiscal quarters of fiscal year    1.65 to 1
1996
Fourth fiscal quarter of fiscal year 1996          1.80 to 1
Each fiscal quarter thereafter                     2.00 to 1"

          (i)       The first sentence of Section 5.17 of the Credit
     Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following is
     substituted in lieu thereof:

               "The Companies will and will cause each Subsidiary,
          at all times, to maintain insurance of such types and in
          such amounts as is consistent with prudent practices and
          standards for companies of the same size as and engaged
          in businesses similar to that of the Companies."

          (j)       Exhibit C to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to be
     in the form of Exhibit C attached to this Second Amendment.

     2.        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES TRUE; NO EVENT OF DEFAULT.
By its execution and delivery hereof, each Company represents and
warrants that, as of the date hereof and after giving effect to the
amendments contemplated by the foregoing Section 1:

          (a)       the representations and warranties contained in the
     Credit Agreement are true and correct on and as of the date hereof
     as made on and as of such date;

          (b)       no event has occurred and is continuing which constitutes
     a Default or an Event of Default;

          (c)       each Company has full power and authority to execute and
     deliver this Second Amendment, and this Second Amendment and the
     Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, constitute the legal, valid
     and binding obligations of such Company, enforceable in accordance
     with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be
     limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
     other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'
<PAGE>
     rights generally and by general principles of equity
     (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding
     in equity or at law) and except as rights to indemnity may be
     limited by federal or state securities laws; and

          (d)       no authorization, approval, consent, or other action by,
     notice to, or filing with, any governmental authority or other
     Person (including, but not limited to, with respect to the
     Prudential Debt), is required for the execution, delivery or
     performance by each Company of this Second Amendment.

     3.        CONDITIONS OF EFFECTIVENESS.  This Second Amendment shall
be effective as of March 26, 1996, subject to the following:

          (i)  Agent shall have received counterparts of this
     Second Amendment executed by the Majority Lenders;

          (ii) Agent shall have received counterparts of this
     Second Amendment executed by each Company;

          (iii)     Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory
     to it that Section 6A(3) of Prudential Debt shall have been
     amended in a form similar to the amendment provided for in
     Section 1(h) of this Second Amendment;

          (iv) Agent shall have received certified copies of
     resolutions of each Company authorizing execution, delivery
     and performance of this Second Amendment; and

          (v)  Agent shall have received, in form and substance
     satisfactory to Agent and its counsel, such other documents,
     certificates and instruments as Agent shall require.

     4.        REFERENCE TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT.

          (a)       Upon the effectiveness of this Second Amendment, each
     reference in the Credit Agreement to "this Agreement", "hereunder",
     or words of like import shall mean and be a reference to the Credit
     Agreement, as affected and amended hereby.

          (b)       The Credit Agreement, as amended by the amendments
     referred to above, shall remain in full force and effect and is
     hereby ratified and confirmed.

     5.        COSTS, EXPENSES AND TAXES.  The Companies, jointly and
severally, agree to pay on demand all costs and expenses of Agent
in connection with the preparation, reproduction, execution and
delivery of this Second Amendment and the other instruments and
documents to be delivered hereunder (including the reasonable fees
and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel for Agent with respect
thereto and with respect to advising Agent as to its rights and
responsibilities under the Credit Agreement, as hereby amended).
<PAGE>
     6.        EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS.  This Second Amendment may be
executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties
hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and
delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when
taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

     7.        GOVERNING LAW:  BINDING EFFECT.  This Second Amendment
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Texas and shall be binding upon each Company and each
Lender and their respective successors and assigns.

     8.        HEADINGS.  Section headings in this Second Amendment are
included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not
constitute a part of this Second Amendment for any other purpose.

     9.        ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, AS AMENDED BY
THIS SECOND AMENDMENT, AND THE OTHER LOAN PAPERS REPRESENT THE
FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY
EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS
BETWEEN THE PARTIES.


          REMAINDER OF PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK
<PAGE>
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Second Amendment as the date first above written.
                              AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS CORPORATION



                              By:  /s/Frank Conner
                                   Title: EVP - Accounting &
                                          Finance


                              AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS, INC.



                              By:  /s/Frank Conner
                                   Title: EVP - Accounting &
                                          Finance


                              NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A.
                              as Agent and as a Lender



                              By:  /s/Steven A. Deily
                                   Title: Senior Vice President


                              TEXAS COMMERCE BANK NATIONAL
                              ASSOCIATION



                              By:  /s/Michael Lister
                                   Title: VP


                              WACHOVIA BANK OF GEORGIA, N.A.



                              By:  John R. Tibe
                                   Title: Cororate Banking Officer


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
MARCH 31, 1996 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           5,554
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   66,618
<ALLOWANCES>                                       955
<INVENTORY>                                      2,065
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                94,656
<PP&E>                                         557,775
<DEPRECIATION>                                 143,779
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 511,534
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           69,073
<BONDS>                                        204,211
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           310
<OTHER-SE>                                     196,045
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   511,534
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               166,160
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  161,798
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0<F1>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,491
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    980
<INCOME-TAX>                                       378
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                602
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       602
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .02
<FN>
<F1>PROVISION FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS INCLUDED IN COSTS AND EXPENSES
APPLICABLE TO REVENUES.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


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