<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ARKANSAS
BEST CORPORATION QUARTERLY REPORT 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 6,839
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 210,962
<ALLOWANCES> 5,928
<INVENTORY> 30,458
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 267,179
<PP&E> 699,010
<DEPRECIATION> 316,375
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 805,538
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 309,252
<BONDS> 157,041
0
14
<COMMON> 199
<OTHER-SE> 269,501
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 805,538
<SALES> 140,266
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,403,470
<CGS> 94,629
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,297,703
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 3,496
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 13,007
<INCOME-PRETAX> 92,414
<INCOME-TAX> 38,168
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 54,246
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 54,246
<EPS-BASIC> 2.58
<EPS-DILUTED> 2.27
</TABLE>