COVENANT TRANSPORT INC
10-Q, 1997-05-15
TRUCKING (NO LOCAL)
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C. 20549-1004

              -----------------------------------------------------


                                    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, 1997

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

                         Commission File Number 0-24960

                            Covenant Transport, Inc.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


          Nevada                                        88-0320154
(State or other jurisdiction of         (I.R.S. employer identification number)
incorporation or organization)

                               400 Birmingham Hwy.
                              Chattanooga, TN 37419
                                 (423) 821-0121
               (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                      including area code, of registrant's
                           principal executive office)

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 of 1934 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 the  filing
requirements for at least the past 90 days.

                                    YES X NO
                                            -----

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date (April 15, 1997)

             Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value: 11,000,000 shares
             Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value:  2,350,000 shares

                                                     Exhibit Index is on Page 11

                                                                    Page 1 of 12
<PAGE>



                                     PART I
                              FINANCIAL INFORMATION


                                                                           PAGE
                                                                          NUMBER
Item 1.    Financial statements
           Condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 1996
                    and March 31, 1997 (unaudited)                          3
           Condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three
                    months ended March 31, 1996 and 1997 (unaudited)        4
            Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three
                    months ended March 31, 1996 and 1997 (unaudited)        5
           Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited) 6
Item 2.    Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition
                    and results of operations                               7


                                     PART II
                                OTHER INFORMATION


                                                                           PAGE
                                                                          NUMBER
Item 1.       Legal proceedings                                             11
Items 2.,
3., 4.,
and 5.        Not applicable
Item 6.       Exhibits and reports on Form 8-K                              11



                                                                    Page 2 of 12
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
                    COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


<CAPTION>
               ASSETS                        December 31,             March 31,
                                                1996                    1997
                                           -------------------------------------
                                                                    (unaudited)
<S>                                      <C>                   <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents              $    3,491,543        $    4,264,789
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance
    of $500,000 in 1996 and $550,000
    in 1997                                  29,955,577            34,869,339
  Drivers advances and other receivables      3,230,857             1,747,811
  Tire and parts inventory                      880,086               988,247
  Prepaid expenses                            3,781,003             6,098,856
  Deferred income taxes                         248,000               203,000
                                         ---------------------------------------
Total current assets                         41,587,066            48,172,042

Property and equipment, at cost             183,136,067           197,344,869
Less accumulated depreciation and
 amortization                                38,752,116            44,281,078
                                         ---------------------------------------
Net property and equipment                  144,383,951           153,063,791

Other                                         1,177,158             1,169,800
                                         ---------------------------------------

Total assets                             $  187,148,175        $  202,405,633
                                         =======================================

               LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current  maturities of long-term debt  $       50,000        $       50,000
  Accounts payable                            3,892,208             3,330,590
  Accrued expenses                            4,480,151             6,249,969
                                         ---------------------------------------
Total current liabilities                     8,422,359             9,630,559

Long-term debt, less current maturities      83,110,000            94,110,000
Deferred income taxes                        13,886,000            15,097,000
                                         ---------------------------------------
Total liabilities                           105,418,359           118,837,559

Stockholders' equity:
  Class A common stock, $.01 par value;
    11,000,000 shares issued and
    outstanding                                 110,000               110,000
  Class B common stock, $.01 par value;
    2,350,000 shares issued and
    outstanding                                  23,500                23,500
  Additional paid-in-capital                 50,469,596            50,469,596
  Retained earnings                          31,126,720            32,964,978
                                         ---------------------------------------
 Total stockholders' equity                  81,729,816            83,568,074
                                         ---------------------------------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
 equity                                  $  187,148,175        $  202,405,633
                                         =======================================
</TABLE>

The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  condensed  consolidated
financial statements.

                                                                    Page 3 of 12
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
                    COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                   THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND 1997
                                   (unaudited)


<CAPTION>
                                                       1996             1997
                                                    ----------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>
Revenue                                             $ 49,457,827   $ 62,587,858

Operating expenses:
  Salaries, wages, and related expenses               23,525,604     27,685,230
  Fuel, oil, and road expenses                        11,468,037     15,559,625
  Revenue equipment rentals and purchased
     transportation                                      231,020        427,388
  Repairs                                              1,054,115      1,267,433
  Operating taxes and licenses                         1,522,104      1,533,512
  Insurance                                            1,355,062      1,785,908
  General supplies and expenses                        3,039,812      3,690,990
  Depreciation and amortization, including gain
    on disposition of equipment                        5,139,593      6,356,027
                                                    ----------------------------
    Total operating expenses                          47,335,347     58,306,113
                                                    ----------------------------
    Operating income                                   2,122,480      4,281,745
Interest expense                                       1,368,160      1,367,487
                                                    ----------------------------
Income before income taxes                               754,320      2,914,258
 Income tax expense                                      272,000      1,076,000
                                                    ----------------------------
Net income                                          $    482,320   $  1,838,258
                                                    ============================

Earnings per share:
Net income                                          $       0.04   $       0.14
                                                    ============================

Weighted average shares outstanding                   13,350,000     13,350,000
                                                    ============================
</TABLE>
















The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  condensed  consolidated
financial statements.

                                                                    Page 4 of 12
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
                    COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                   THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND 1997
                                   (unaudited)


<CAPTION>
                                                          1996          1997
                                                    ----------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                                          $     482,320   $ 1,838,258
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
  provided by operating activities:
    Provision for losses on receivables                   101,511        50,000
    Depreciation and amortization                       5,118,965     6,360,277
    Deferred income taxes                                (878,000)    1,256,000
    Loss (gain) on disposition of property and
     equipment                                             20,629        (4,250)
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Receivables and advances                          8,438,642    (3,521,503)
      Prepaid expenses                                 (2,312,821)   (2,317,853)
      Tire and parts inventory                             35,395      (108,161)
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses             4,075,812     1,208,200
                                                    ----------------------------
Net cash flows from operating activities               15,082,453     4,760,968

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Acquisition of property and equipment               (14,066,503)  (16,288,112)
  Proceeds from disposition of property and
   equipment                                              446,070     1,300,390
                                                    ----------------------------
Net cash flows from investing activities              (13,620,433)  (14,987,722)

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                     --    11,000,000
  Repayments of long-term debt                         (1,000,000)           --
  Deferred debt issuance cost                             (25,271)           --
                                                    ----------------------------
Net cash flows from financing activities               (1,025,271)   11,000,000
                                                    ----------------------------

Net change in cash and cash equivalents                   436,749       773,246

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period          461,288     3,491,543
                                                    ----------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period          $     898,037   $ 4,264,789
                                                    ============================
</TABLE>












The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  condensed  consolidated
financial statements.

                                                                    Page 5 of 12
<PAGE>


                    COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (unaudited)


Note 1.  Basis of Presentation

         The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
         Covenant   Transport,   Inc.,  a  Nevada  holding   company,   and  its
         wholly-owned  subsidiaries (the Company). All significant  intercompany
         balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

         The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared,   without  audit,  in
         accordance with generally accepted accounting  principles,  pursuant to
         the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In
         the  opinion  of  management,  the  accompanying  financial  statements
         include all adjustments  which are necessary for a fair presentation of
         the results for the interim periods  presented,  such adjustments being
         of  a  normal  recurring  nature.   Certain  information  and  footnote
         disclosures  have been condensed or omitted  pursuant to such rules and
         regulations. The December 31, 1996 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
         was derived from the audited  balance sheet of the Company for the year
         then ended. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial
         statements  and  notes  thereto  be  read  in   conjunction   with  the
         consolidated  financial  statements  and notes thereto  included in the
         Company's  Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1996.  Results of
         operations in interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results
         to be expected for a full year.

- ------------------------------------

                           FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

         This document  contains  forward-looking  statements in paragraphs that
         are  marked  with an  asterisk.  Statements  by the  Company  in  press
         releases,  public  filings,  and stockholder  reports,  as well as oral
         public statements by Company representatives,  also may contain certain
         forward looking information.  Forward-looking information is subject to
         certain  risks and  uncertainties  that could cause  actual  results to
         differ materially from those projected. Without limitation, these risks
         and   uncertainties   include  economic  factors  such  as  recessions,
         downturns  in  customers'   business   cycles,   surplus   inventories,
         inflation,  fuel price increases, and higher interest rates; the resale
         value of the Company's used revenue  equipment;  the  availability  and
         compensation of qualified drivers; and competition from trucking, rail,
         and  intermodal  competitors.  Readers  should  review and consider the
         various  disclosures  made  by  the  Company  in  its  press  releases,
         stockholder  reports,  and  public  filings,  as  well  as the  factors
         explained  in greater  detail in the  Company's  annual  report on Form
         10-K.


                                                                    Page 6 of 12
<PAGE>



                    COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

<TABLE>
The following  table sets forth the percentage  relationship of certain items to
revenue for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1997:


<CAPTION>
                                                    1996      1997
                                                   ----------------
<S>                                                <C>       <C>
Revenue                                            100.0%    100.0%

Operating expenses:
  Salaries, wages, and related expenses             47.6      44.2
  Fuel, oil, and road expenses                      23.2      24.9
  Revenue equipment rentals and purchased
     transportation                                  0.5       0.7
  Repairs                                            2.1       2.0
  Operating taxes and licenses                       3.1       2.5
  Insurance                                          2.7       2.8
  General supplies and expenses                      6.1       5.9
  Depreciation and amortization, including
    gain on disposition of equiment                 10.4      10.2
                                                   ----------------
    Total operating expenses                        95.7      93.2
                                                   ----------------
    Operating income                                 4.3       6.8
Interest expense                                     2.8       2.2
                                                   ----------------
Income before income taxes                           1.5       4.6
Income tax expense                                   0.5       1.7
                                                   ----------------
Net income                                           1.0%      2.9%
                                                   ================
</TABLE>

COMPARISON  OF THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
1996

Revenue increased $13.1 million (26.5%) to $62.6 million in the 1997 period from
$49.5 million in the 1996 period.  The revenue increase was primarily  generated
by a 24.6%  increase  in weighted  average  tractors,  to 1,732  during the 1997
period from 1,390 during the 1996 period, as the Company expanded to meet demand
from new  customers and higher  volume from  existing  customers.  The Company's
average revenue per loaded mile also increased to approximately $1.11 during the
1997 period from $1.08 during the 1996 period.  The increase was attributable to
per-mile rate increases negotiated by the Company and approximately  $700,000 in
fuel  surcharge  revenue  during the 1997 period.  In addition,  several  storms
during the 1996 period  forced the  Company to use  secondary  customers  paying
lower rates. The Company's revenue per loaded mile in the 1997 period net of the
fuel surcharges was $1.10.  Average miles per tractor decreased to 34,389 in the
1997  period  from 35,067 in the 1996 period as the 1997 period had one less day
and the Company had tractors 

                                                                    Page 7 of 12
<PAGE>

without drivers during January and late March 1997.  Deadhead  improved  to 5.2%
of total miles in the 1997 period from 5.6% in the 1996 period.

Salaries, wages, and related  expenses  increased $4.2 million  (17.7%) to $27.7
million  in the  1997  period  from  $23.5  million  in the  1996  period.  As a
percentage  of  revenue, salaries, wages and related expenses decreased to 44.2%
of  revenue in the 1997 period from 47.6% in the 1996 period.  Driver wages as a
percentage  of  revenue  decreased to 32.5% in the 1997 period from 34.0% in the
1996  period  as  the 1997 period had very little adverse weather and therefore,
lower  layover expenses. The Company has announced a pay increase for drivers of
approximately $0.02 per mile that is effective May 15, 1997. The pay increase is
anticipated  to  increase  overall  costs  for  driver  wages  and  benefits  by
approximately  1.5%  of revenue.  Non-driving employee payroll expense decreased
to  5.2%  in the 1997 period from 5.5% in the 1996 period as the Company reduced
the number of non-driving employees per tractor.   Employee benefits, consisting
primarily  of  health  insurance, workers' compensation costs, and employer paid
taxes,  decreased  to  6.6%  of revenue in the 1997 period from 8.1% in the 1996
period  as the Company did not contract with the leasing company utilized during
the  1996  period  and obtained more favorable rates for health insurance during
the 1997 period. (*)

Fuel, oil, and road expenses increased $4.1 million  (35.7%) to $15.6 million in
the 1997  period  from $11.5  million in the 1996  period.  As a  percentage  of
revenue,  fuel, oil and road expenses  increased to 24.9% of revenue in the 1997
period from 23.2% in the 1996 period  primarily as a result of higher per gallon
fuel costs during the 1997 period.  Fuel surcharges  totaled $700,000 during the
1997 period and were implemented with a majority of the Company's customers.

Revenue  equipment  rentals  and  purchased  transportation  increased  $196,000
(85.0%) to $427,000 in the 1997 period from  $231,000 in the 1996  period.  As a
percentage of revenue,  revenue equipment  rentals and purchased  transportation
increased  to 0.7% in the 1997 period from 0.5% in the 1996 period as  operating
leases for revenue  equipment and the Company  initiated the use of  independent
contractor suppliers of tractors during the 1997 period.

Repairs increased  $213,000 (20.2%) to $1.3 million in the 1997 period from $1.1
million  in the 1996  period.  As a  percentage  of  revenue,  repairs  remained
essentially constant at 2.0% in the 1997 period and 2.1% in the 1996 period.

Operating taxes and licenses remained  virtually  unchanged between the periods.
As a percent of revenue,  operating taxes and licenses  decreased to 2.5% in the
1997  period from 3.1% in the 1996  period.  The expense as a percent of revenue
returned to normalized levels after unusually high expenses in the first quarter
of 1996.  For the past three years,  operating  taxes and licenses have averaged
2.6%.

Insurance  increased  $431,000  (31.8%) to $1.8  million in the 1997 period from
$1.4 million in the 1996 period. As a percentage of revenue, insurance increased
to 2.9% of revenue in the 1997  period  from 2.7% in the 1996 period as a larger
number of accidents resulted in additional deductibles being paid.

- -------------------

     (*)     May contain "forward-looking" statements.

                                                                    Page 8 of 12
<PAGE>

General  supplies  and  expenses,  consisting  primarily  of driver  recruiting,
communications expenses, and facilities expenses,  increased $651,000 (21.4%) to
$3.7  million in the 1997  period  from $3.0  million in the 1996  period.  As a
percentage  of revenue,  general  supplies  and  expenses  decreased  to 5.9% of
revenue in the 1997 period from 6.1% in the 1996  period.  The 1997  decrease is
primarily related to the fixed nature of a portion of these costs as well as the
increased revenue per tractor more than offsetting  higher  facilities  expenses
related  to  the  Company's  new   headquarters  and  terminal  in  Chattanooga,
Tennessee.

Depreciation and amortization,  consisting  primarily of depreciation of revenue
equipment,  increased  $1.2  million  (23.7%) to $6.4 million in the 1997 period
from $5.1 million in the 1996 period.  As a percentage of revenue,  depreciation
and amortization  decreased to 10.2% of revenue in the 1997 period from 10.4% in
the 1996 period as a result of a greater percentage of the Company's fleet being
obtained under operating leases and independent contractor  agreements,  as well
as an increase in revenue per tractor.

As a result of the  foregoing,  the Company's  operating  ratio was 93.2% in the
1997 period versus 95.7% in the 1996 period.

Interest expense remained virtually unchanged for the 1997 period as compared to
the 1996  period.  Interest  expense  decreased  to 2.2% of  revenue in the 1997
period from 2.8% in the 1996  period,  as higher  average debt  balances  ($85.4
million in the 1997 period  compared with $79.2 million in the 1996 period) were
offset by lower average  interest  rates (6.4% in the 1997 period  compared with
6.9% in the 1996 period) and higher revenue in 1997.

The  Company's  effective  tax rate was 36.9% in the 1997 period  compared  with
36.1% in the 1996 period  reflecting  increased  state  income taxes in the 1997
period.  The effective tax rate is expected to average  approximately  37.0% for
the remainder of 1997. (*)

Primarily as a result of the factors  described  above,  net income increased to
$1.8  million in the 1997  period  (2.9% of revenue)  from  $482,000 in the 1996
period (1.0% of revenue).

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The growth of the Company's business has required significant investments in new
revenue equipment.  The Company  historically has financed its revenue equipment
requirements  with borrowings under a line of credit,  senior notes,  cash flows
from  operations,  and  operating  leases.  The  Company's  primary  sources  of
liquidity at March 31, 1997 were funds provided by operations,  borrowings under
its credit agreement (which was increased from $70 million to $85 million during
the  quarter),  funds  provided  from its $25  million in senior  notes,  and an
operating lease covering its new headquarters and terminal facility.

The  Company's  primary  source  of cash  flow  from  operations  is net  income
increased by  depreciation  and deferred income taxes.  Historically,  financing
increases in  receivables  and advances  associated  with the Company's  revenue
growth has been a significant  use of cash provided by  operations.  In

- -------------------

     (*)     May contain "forward-looking" statements.

                                                                    Page 9 of 12

<PAGE>

the  1996  period, however, receivables and advances decreased due to collection
of  an other receivable and rectifying an accounts receivable imbalance that had
occurred at the end of 1995  resulting in $10.5 million in operating cash flows.
Management  believes that cash flows in the 1997 period are more  representative
of a normalized  first  quarter.  Net cash provided by operating  activities was
$4.8 million in the 1997 period and $15.1 million in the 1996 period. (*)

Net cash used in investing  activities  was $15.0 million in the 1997 period and
$13.6 million in the 1996 period.  These  investments  were primarily to acquire
additional revenue equipment as the Company expanded its operations. The Company
expects  capital  expenditures   (primarily  for  revenue  equipment),   net  of
trade-ins, to be approximately $50.0 million in 1997. (*)

Net cash provided by financing  activities of $11 million in 1997 was related to
borrowings  under a credit  agreement.  This  compared  with  net  cash  used by
financing  activities  of $1.0  million in 1996 as the Company  made  repayments
under the credit agreement.

At  March  31,  1997,  the  Company  had  outstanding  debt  of  $94.2  million,
substantially all of which related to draws under a its credit agreement and $25
million in senior notes. Interest rates on this debt ranged from 6.1% to 7.4% at
March 31,  1997.  Effective  March 31,  1997,  the  Company  renewed  its credit
agreement  and increased its limit to $85 million in order to provide for future
needs.

At March 31, 1997, $69 million was drawn under the Company's  credit  agreement.
The credit  agreement is with a syndicate of banks and provides for  outstanding
borrowings to bear interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus an
applicable margin between 0.375% and 1.0%. For the quarter ended March 31, 1997,
the  applicable  margin was 0.5%.  During  February  and May 1995,  the  Company
entered into interest rate swap  agreements  that fixed  interest  rates for two
years  on $28  million  and $10  million  of the  borrowings  under  the  credit
agreement  at 6.9% and  5.8%,  respectively,  plus  the  applicable  margin.  An
additional  $25 million  swap  agreement  was  completed in 1996 to fix interest
rates from February 1997 until February 1999 at 5.9% plus the applicable margin.
All remaining  borrowings  under the credit  agreement are at one, two, or three
month LIBOR plus the applicable margin.

The Company  also has  outstanding  $25 million in senior notes due October 2005
that were placed with an insurance  company.  The notes bear  interest at 7.39%,
payable  semi-annually.  Principal payments are due in equal annual installments
beginning in October 2001.

In December  1996,  the Company  took  possession  of its new  headquarters  and
terminal  facility.   The  facility  was  constructed  under  a  "build-to-suit"
operating  lease and is expected to increase  the  Company's  annual  facilities
costs by approximately $750,000.

The  credit  agreement,  senior  notes,  and  headquarters  and  terminal  lease
agreement  contain certain  restrictions and covenants  relating to, among other
things, dividends, tangible net worth, cash flow, acquisitions and dispositions,
and total indebtedness. All of these agreements are cross-defaulted. The Company
was in compliance with the agreements at March 31, 1997.

- -------------------

     (*)     May contain "forward-looking" statements.

                                                                   Page 10 of 12

<PAGE>

                    COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                            PART II OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.           Legal Proceedings

                  No reportable  events or material  changes occurred during the
                  quarter for which this report is filed.

Items 2, 3,
4 and 5.          Not applicable

Item 6.           Exhibits and reports on Form 8-K.
                  (a)      Exhibits

Exhibit
Number            Description
10.1              Credit  Agreement  dated  January  17,  1995,  among  Covenant
                  Transport, Inc., a Tennessee corporation,  ABN-AMRO Bank N.V.,
                  as  agent, and certain other banks, filed as Exhibit 10 to the
                  Company's  Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1995, and
                  incorporated herein by reference.
10.2              Lease  dated  January 1, 1990, between David R. and Jacqueline
                  F.   Parker   and   Covenant   Transport,   Inc,  a  Tennessee
                  corporation,   with  respect  to  the  Chattanooga,  Tennessee
                  headquarters, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Registra-
                  tion   Statement  on  Form  S-1,  Registration  No.  33-82978,
                  effective   October  28,  1994,  and  incorporated  herein  by
                  reference.
10.3              Lease  dated  June 1, 1994, between David R. and Jacqueline F.
                  Parker  and  Covenant Transport, Inc, a Tennessee corporation,
                  with  respect  to  terminal facility in Greer, South Carolina,
                  filed  as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Registration Statement
                  on  Form S-1, Registration No. 33-82978, effective October 28,
                  1994, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.4              Incentive  Stock  Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's
                  Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-82978,
                  effective   October  28,  1994,  and  incorporated  herein  by
                  reference.
10.5              401(k) Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Registra-
                  tion   Statement  on  Form  S-1,  Registration  No.  33-82978,
                  effective   October  28,  1994,  and  incorporated  herein  by
                  reference.
10.6              Note Purchase Agreement dated October 15, 1995, among Covenant
                  Transport,  Inc,  a Tennessee corporation and CIG & Co., filed
                  as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 1995, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.7              First  Amendment  to Credit Agreement and Waiver dated October
                  15,  1995,  filed  as Exhibit 10.13 to the Company's Form 10-K
                  for  the year ended December 31, 1995, and incorporated herein
                  by reference.
10.8              Participation  Agreement  dated March 29, 1996, among Covenant
                  Transport, Inc, a Tennessee corporation, Lease Plan USA, Inc.,
                  and  ABN-AMRO  Bank,  N.V.,  Atlanta  Agency, filed as Exhibit
                  10.14  to  the  Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended March
                  31, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.9              Second  Amendment  to  Credit Agreement and Waiver dated April
                  12,  1996,  filed  as Exhibit 10.15 to the Company's Form 10-Q
                  for  the  period ended March 31, 1996, and incorporated herein
                  by reference.
10.10             First  Amendment  to  Note Purchase Agreement and Waiver dated
                  April  1,  1996,  filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's Form
                  10-Q  for  the  period  ended March 31, 1996, and incorporated
                  herein by reference.
10.11*            Third Amendment to Credit Agreement and Waiver dated March 31,
                  1997.
10.12*            Waiver to Note Purchase Agreement dated March 31, 1997.
11*               Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings.
21*               Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
27*               Financial data schedule.

- ------------------------------------

*     Filed herewith.

                  (b) No  reports  on  Form 8 - K have  been  filed  during  the
                  quarter for which this report is filed.


                                                                   Page 11 of 12
<PAGE>



SIGNATURE

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


                                           COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC.


Date:  April 18, 1997                      /s/ Bradley A. Moline
       --------------                      --------------------
                                           Bradley A. Moline
                                           Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer


                                                                   Page 12 of 12
<PAGE>

                                 EXHIBIT 10.11
                 THIRD AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND CONSENT


     THIS  THIRD  AMENDMENT  TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND CONSENT (this  "Amendment")
made  and entered into effective as of March 31, 1997 (the "Effective Date"), by
and  among  COVENANT  TRANSPORT, INC., a Tennessee corporation ("CTI"), COVENANT
LEASING,  INC.,  a  Nevada corporation ("Leasing"; CTI and Leasing are sometimes
referred  to  herein  individually  as  a  "Borrower"  and  collectively  as the
"Borrowers"),  ABN  AMRO BANK N.V., acting through its Atlanta Agency, THE FIRST
NATIONAL  BANK  OF  CHICAGO (as assignee of NBD Bank), NATIONSBANK, N.A. (SOUTH)
(formerly  known  as  NationsBank  of Georgia, N.A.) and FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL
BANK  (collectively,  the  "Banks"),  and ABN AMRO BANK N.V., acting through its
Atlanta Agency, as Agent (the "Agent").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS,  CTI, the Agent and the Banks entered into a certain Credit Agree-
ment,  dated  as of January 17, 1995, as amended by that certain First Amendment
to  Credit  Agreement  and  Waiver, dated as of October 15, 1995, among CTI, the
Agent  and the Banks, and as further amended by that certain Second Amendment to
Credit  Agreement  and  Waiver, dated as of April 12, 1996, among CTI, the Agent
and  the  Banks  (the  "Credit Agreement"; capitalized terms used herein and not
otherwise  defined herein shall have the meanings given such terms in the Credit
Agreement,  as  amended  by  this  Amendment),  whereby the Banks agreed to make
certain  loans and grant other financial accommodations to or for the benefit of
the  CTI, subject to the terms, covenants and conditions contained in the Credit
Agreement; and

     WHEREAS,  CTI and Leasing have requested that the Agent and the Banks amend
the Credit Agreement to add Leasing as an additional "Borrower" under the Credit
Agreement,  to  increase  the  Revolving  Credit  Commitments  of  the  Banks to
$85,000,000,  to consent to certain  transactions  to be entered into by certain
stockholders  of the Parent and waive any  defaults  under the Credit  Agreement
arising  as a result  thereof,  to  consent  to the  formation  of  certain  new
Subsidiaries  of the Parent and waive any  defaults  under the Credit  Agreement
arising as a result  thereof,  and to modify  certain  other terms of the Credit
Agreement  as set  forth in this  Amendment,  and the  Agent  and the  Banks are
willing to agree to such  consents,  waivers  and  modifications  subject to the
terms and conditions of this Amendment.

     NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  premises  and mutual covenants
contained  herein,  and  other  good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency  of  which  are  hereby  acknowledged,  the  parties hereto agree as
follows:




<PAGE>



     1.     Addition  of  Leasing  as  an  additional  Borrower under the Credit
Agreement.  Subject  to  the terms and conditions of this Amendment, the parties
agree  that,  as  of the date hereof, Leasing shall become a party to the Credit
Agreement  and  shall have the rights and obligations of a "Borrower" thereunder
(including  without limitation the obligation for payment and performance of the
Obligations).

     2.     Amendments to Section 1.1.

            (a)  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Amendment,  Section
1.1(a)(i) of the Credit  Agreement is hereby  amended (i) deleting the reference
to  the  amount  of  "$55,000,000"  contained  in the  ninth  line  thereof  and
substituting in lieu thereof the amount of  "$70,000,000",  and (ii) by deleting
the reference to the amount of "$70,000,000"  contained in the last line thereof
and substituting in lieu thereof the amount of "$85,000,000".

            (b)  Subject to  the terms and conditions of this Amendment, Section
1.1  of  the  Credit  Agreement  is  further  amended by incorporating into such
Section,  immediately  following  subsection  (d)  thereof,  the  following  new
subsection (e):

                 (e)  Commitment  Increases.  (i) In the event that the Borrower
            wishes  to  increase  the aggregate Commitments at any time prior to
            the  Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date, and provided that
            no  Default or Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing,
            it  shall  notify  the  Agent in writing of the amount (the "Offered
            Increase   Amount")  of  such  proposed  increase  (such  notice,  a
            "Commitment  Increase  Notice").  The Borrower may, at its election,
            (x) offer one or more of the Banks the opportunity to participate in
            all  or  a  portion  of  the  Offered  Increase  Amount  pursuant to
            subsection  (iii)  below and/or (y) with the consent of the Agent in
            the event the existing Banks choose not to participate in all of the
            Offered  Increase  Amount  (which  consent shall not be unreasonably
            withheld),   offer   one   or   more   additional  banks,  financial
            institutions or other entities the opportunity to participate in the
            Offered  Increase  Amount  pursuant  to paragraph (ii) below, to the
            extent  of  such  Offered Increase Amount not participated in by the
            existing  Banks. Each Commitment Increase Notice shall specify which
            Banks  and/or  banks,  financial  institutions or other entities the
            Borrower  desires  to  participate in such commitment increase.  The
            Borrower  or,  if  requested  by the Borrower, the Agent will notify
            such Banks and/or banks, financial institutions or other entities of
            such offer.

                      (ii) Any  additional  bank, financial institution or other
            entity  which  the Borrower selects with the consent of the Agent in
            accordance with subsection (i) above to offer  participation  in the
            increased Commitments, and which  elects  to  become a party to this
            Agreement  and obtain a Revolving Credit  Commitment  and Term  Loan
            Commitment in an amount so offered and accepted  by it  pursuant  to
            subsection (i) above, shall execute a New Bank  Supplement  with the
            Borrower  and the Agent, substantially  in the  form of  Exhibit  E,
            whereupon such bank, financial institution  or other entity  (herein
            called a "New Bank") shall become



                                       -2-

<PAGE>



            a "Bank" for all purposes and to the same extent as if originally  a
            party  hereto  and shall be bound by and entitled to the benefits of
            this  Agreement  with respect to the full amount of its Commitments,
            provided  that the Commitments of any such new Lender shall be in an
            amount not less than $5,000,000.

                      (iii) Any  Bank  which  accepts  an  offer  to  it  by the
            Borrower  to  increase  its  Commitments  pursuant to subsection (i)
            above  shall, in each case, execute a Commitment Increase Supplement
            with  the  Borrower  and  the  Agent,  substantially  in the form of
            Exhibit F, whereupon such Bank shall be bound by and entitled to the
            benefits  of  this  Agreement with respect to the full amount of its
            Commitments as so increased.

                      (iv) If  any  bank,  financial institution or other entity
            becomes  a  New Bank pursuant to subsection (ii) above or any Bank's
            Commitments  are increased pursuant to subsection (iii) above, addi-
            tional  Revolving  Loans  made on or after the effectiveness thereof
            (the  "Re-Allocation  Date")  shall  be  made  pro rata based on the
            Proportionate Shares in effect on and after such Re-Allocation  Date
            (except to the extent that any such pro rata Borrowings would result
            in  any Bank making an aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans
            in  excess  of  its  Revolving Credit Commitment, in which case such
            excess amount will be allocated to, and made by, such New Banks and/
            or  Banks  with such increased Commitments to the extent of, and pro
            rata  based on, their respective Commitments otherwise available for
            Revolving  Loans), and continuations of Eurodollar Loans outstanding
            on  such  Re-Allocation  Date shall be effected by repayment of such
            Eurodollar  Loans  on the last day of the Interest Period applicable
            thereto  and  the  making  of new Eurodollar Loans pro rata based on
            such  new  Proportionate  Shares.   In  the  event  that on any such
            Re-Allocation  Date there is an unpaid principal amount of Base Rate
            Loans  or  Alternate  Base  Rate  Loans,  the  Borrower  shall  make
            prepayments  thereof  and Borrowings of Base Rate Loans or Alternate
            Base  Rate Loans so that, after giving effect thereto, the Base Rate
            Loans  or  Alternate  Base  Rate Loans outstanding are held pro rata
            based  on  such  new Proportionate Shares.  In the event that on any
            such  Re-Allocation  Date  there  is  an  unpaid principal amount of
            Eurodollar  Loans,  such  Eurodollar  Loans shall remain outstanding
            with  the  respective  holders thereof until the expiration of their
            respective  Interest  Periods  (unless the Borrower elects to prepay
            any  thereof  in  accordance  with the applicable provisions of this
            Agreement),  and interest on and repayments of such Eurodollar Loans
            will be paid thereon to the respective Banks holding such Eurodollar
            Loans  pro  rata  based  on the respective principal amounts thereof
            outstanding.

                      (v) Notwithstanding  anything  to  the  contrary  in  this
            Section  1.1(e),  (x)  in  no  event  shall any transaction effected
            pursuant  to  this Section 1.1(e) cause the aggregate Commitments to
            exceed  $100,000,000  and  (y)  no Bank shall have any obligation to
            increase  its  Commitment  unless  it  agrees  to  do so in its sole
            discretion.



                                       -3-

<PAGE>




     3.     Amendment  to  Section 4.7.   Subject to the terms and conditions of
this  Amendment,  Section  4.7 of the  Credit  Agreement  is hereby  amended  by
deleting  such  Section in its  entirety  and  substituting  in lieu thereof the
following:

            Section 4.7.  Title  to  Properties.  Each  of  the  Parent  and the
            Borrower has title to its  respective  properties  reflected  on the
            financial  statements  delivered  from  time  to  time under Section
            6.1(a)  and  (b),  subject  to  no Liens or adverse claims except as
            disclosed thereon and except for Permitted Liens.

     4.     Amendment  to  Section 5.21.  Subject to the terms and conditions of
this  Amendment,  Section  5.21 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i)
deleting from the first sentence of such Section the following: "a first lien on
and  security  interest  in all Accounts (including intercompany accounts), bank
accounts  and  Revenue Equipment owned by the Parent, the Borrower and any other
Subsidiary . . .", and (ii) substituting in lieu thereof the following: "a first
lien on and security interest in all Accounts (including intercompany accounts),
equipment  leases,  trademarks,  trade  names  and  other intellectual property,
Revenue  Equipment and any general intangibles relating to any of the foregoing,
owned by the Parent, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary . . .".

     5.     Amendments  to Section 10.1.  Subject to the terms and conditions of
this  Amendment,  Section  10.1  of  the  Credit  Agreement is hereby amended as
follows:

                 (a)     by  modifying  the  definitions of the terms "Account",
         "Borrower", "Eligible Account", "Guarantor Pledge Agreement", "Guaranty
         Agreement",  "Loan  Documents",  "Revenue Equipment", "Revolving Credit
         Commitment",  "Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date", "Security
         Agreement", "Security Documents", and "Term Loan Commitment" to read,
         respectively,  as follows:

                      "Account"  means  any  right  of the Borrower or any other
                 Subsidiary to payment for goods sold or leased, or for services
                 rendered,  by the Borrower or such other Subsidiary that is not
                 evidenced by an instrument or chattel paper.

                      "Borrower"  means  Covenant  Transport,  Inc., a Tennessee
                 corporation,  and Covenant Leasing, Inc., a Nevada corporation,
                 or either of them individually, as the context may require.

                      "Eligible Account" means, at the time of any determination
                 thereof,  any  Account of CTI as to which each of the following
                 requirements  has  been  fulfilled  to  the satisfaction of the
                 Agent:

                                (i) CTI  owns such Account free and clear of all
                           liens other than a Lien in favor of the Agent granted
                           pursuant to any Loan Document, and, if



                                       -4-


<PAGE>



                           after the Security Date, such Account is subject to a
                           lien in favor  of  the Agent that constitutes a first
                           perfected   security   interest   in   such  Account;
                           provided,  however,  that  no Account as to which any
                           United States federal or state governmental agency or
                           instrumentality  is  the  Collateral Debtor may be an
                           Eligible  Account  after the Security Date, except to
                           the  extent that CTI has complied with the Assignment
                           of  Claims  Act  of  1940,  as amended (31 U.S.C. ss.
                           3727; 41 U.S.C. ss. 15), by delivering to the Agent a
                           notice  of  assignment under such Act in favor of the
                           Collateral  Agent,  for the benefit of the Banks, the
                           Letter   of  Credit  Banks  and  the  Agent,  and  in
                           compliance  with  applicable  provisions of 31 C.F.R.
                           ss. 7-103.8 and 41 C.F.R. ss. 1-30.7, or with similar
                           state law;

                                (ii) Such Account is a legal, valid, binding and
                           enforceable obligation of the Collateral Debtor;

                                (iii)  Such   Account  is  not  subject  to  any
                           dispute,  setoff,  counterclaim  or  other  claim  or
                           defense  on  the part of the Collateral Debtor or any
                           other Person denying liability under such Account;

                                (iv) CTI  has  the full and unqualified right to
                           assign  and  grant  a  Lien  in  such  Account to the
                           Collateral Agent as security for the Obligations;

                                (v)  Such  Account  is  evidenced  by an invoice
                           rendered   to   the  Collateral  Debtor  and  is  not
                           evidenced  by any instrument or chattel paper (as the
                           terms "instrument" and "chattel paper" are defined in
                           Section 9-105 of the UCC);

                                (vi)  Such  Account arose from the sale of goods
                           or  services  on an absolute basis (and not on a con-
                           signment,   approval or sale-and-return basis) by CTI
                           in the ordinary  course  of  CTI's business, and such
                           services have been  performed or such goods have been
                           shipped  and  delivered  to,  and  accepted  by,  the
                           Collateral Debtor for such Account;

                                (vii)   With   respect   to  such  Account,  the
                           Collateral  Debtor thereof is not (A) an Affiliate of
                           the  Parent  or any Subsidiary, or (B) the subject of
                           any    reorganization,    bankruptcy,   receivership,
                           custodianship,  insolvency,  dissolution, winding up,
                           liquidation or similar proceeding;

                                (viii)  Such Account is not outstanding (A) more
                           than  90  days  past the original billing date (which
                           date shall not be later than the date upon  which the
                           services giving rise to such Account are completed or
                           the shipment date  of  the  goods giving rise to such
                           Account), or (B)  more than 60 days past the due date
                           thereof;




                                       -5-

<PAGE>



                                (ix)  Such Account is not an Account owing by  a
                           Collateral  Debtor  having,   at   the  time  of  any
                           determination  of Eligible Accounts, in excess of 25%
                           of the aggregate outstanding amount of  all  of  such
                           Collateral  Debtor's  Accounts more than 90 days past
                           the  original  invoice  date  with respect thereto or
                           more than 60 days past the due date thereof;

                                (x)  With respect to the Collateral Debtor under
                           such  Account, CTI is not indebted to such Collateral
                           Debtor,  unless  CTI  and such Collateral Debtor have
                           entered  into  an  agreement  whereby  the Collateral
                           Debtor  is  prohibited  from  exercising any right of
                           setoff with respect to the Accounts of CTI;

                                (xi)  Such  Account  has arisen from the sale of
                           goods   or   services  in  the  United  States  to  a
                           Collateral  Debtor located in the United States or is
                           100%   secured  by  a  letter  of  credit  issued  or
                           confirmed  by a domestic bank or a domestic agency of
                           a  foreign  bank,  acceptable  to  the  Agent and the
                           Required Banks;

                                (xii)  Such  Account  is denominated and payable
                           only in Dollars;

                                (xiii)  Such  Account  does  not  arise out of a
                           contract or order which fails in any material respect
                           to comply with the requirements of applicable law;

                                (xiv)  Such  Account  is  not  an  Account  with
                           respect  to which the Collateral Debtor is located in
                           a  state  that  requires  CTI,  as  a precondition to
                           commencing  or maintaining an action in the courts of
                           that  state,  either  to (A) receive a certificate of
                           authority  to  do business and be in good standing in
                           such   state,  or  (B)  file  a  notice  of  business
                           activities report or similar report with such state's
                           taxing authority, unless (x) CTI has taken one of the
                           actions  described  in  clauses  (A)  or (B), (y) the
                           failure  to  take  one  of  the  actions described in
                           either  clause  (A) or (B) may be cured retroactively
                           CTI  at  its  election,  or  (z)  CTI  has proven, to
                           Agent's satisfaction, that it is exempt from any such
                           requirements under any such state's laws;

                                (xv)  Such  Account  is  not an Account (A) with
                           respect  to  which  any  representation  or  warranty
                           contained   in  this  Agreement  or  any  other  Loan
                           Document  is  untrue or (B) which violates any of the
                           covenants  of  the  Borrower or CTI contained in this
                           Agreement or any other Loan Document;

                                (xvi) Such Account is not an Account which, when
                           added  to  a  particular  Collateral  Debtor's  other
                           indebtedness   to   CTI,   exceeds   a  credit  limit
                           determined  by  Agent in its sole discretion for that
                           Collateral Debtor 

                                       -6-

<PAGE>



                           (except that Accounts excluded from Eligible Accounts
                           solely by reason  of  this  clause  shall be Eligible
                           Accounts to the extent of such credit limit); and

                                (xvii)  Such  Account  is  not  an  Account with
                           respect   to   which   the  prospect  of  payment  or
                           performance  by  the  Collateral Debtor is or will be
                           impaired,  as  determined  by  the  Agent is its sole
                           discretion.

                      "Guarantor Pledge Agreement" means the Pledge and Security
                 Agreement between the Parent and the Collateral Agent, dated as
                 of October 15, 1995, and any other pledge agreement executed by
                 the  Parent or a Subsidiary in favor of the Collateral Agent as
                 security for the Obligations.

                      "Guaranty   Agreement"   means   the   Guaranty  Agreement
                 delivered  by  the  Parent in favor of the Banks, the Letter of
                 Credit  Banks  and  the  Agent, dated January 17, 1995, and any
                 other  guaranty  agreement executed by a Subsidiary in favor of
                 the Banks, the Letter of Credit Banks and the Agent, guarantee-
                 ing payment of the Obligations.

                      "Loan  Documents"  means  this  Agreement,  the Notes, the
                 Security  Documents, the Reimbursement Agreements, the Guaranty
                 Agreements,  each Schedule to this Agreement and each document,
                 instrument,  certificate, and opinion executed and delivered in
                 connection with any of the foregoing.

                      "Revenue  Equipment"  means  all  tractors,  trailers  and
                 other  similar equipment used in the operation of  CTI's truck-
                 ing business.

                      "Revolving Credit Commitment" means the commitment of each
                 Bank  to  make Revolving Loans pursuant to Section 1.1(a)(i) in
                 the   amount  set  forth  opposite  such  Bank's  name  on  the
                 signature  pages  of the Third Amendment, as such amount may be
                 increased  from  time  to  time  pursuant  to Section 1.1(e) or
                 reduced  from  time  to  time  pursuant  to Section 1.7 or 7.2.
                 Revolving  Credit  Commitments  means  the sum of the Revolving
                 Credit Commitments of all the Banks.

                      "Revolving  Credit Commitment  Termination Date" means the
                 earlier of (i) the date upon which Revolving Credit Commitments
                 reduce to zero pursuant to Section 1.7 or Section 7.2, and (ii)
                 April  30,  1999,  or such later date as shall be designated by
                 the Banks pursuant to Section 1.1(d).

                      "Security  Agreement" means the Security Agreement between
                 CTI and the Collateral Agent, dated as of October 15, 1995, and
                 any  other security agreement executed by a Subsidiary in favor
                 of the Collateral Agent as security for the Obligations.




                                       -7-



<PAGE>



                      "Security   Documents"   shall  mean,  collectively,  each
                 Security Agreement, each Pledge Agreement, each Blocked Account
                 Agreement,  and  each  other  mortgage, deed of trust, security
                 agreement,  pledge  agreement,  or other security or collateral
                 document securing the Obligations.

                      "Term  Loan  Commitment"  means, for any Bank, its Propor-
                 tionate  Share of the lesser of $85,000,000 (as such amount may
                 be  increased  pursuant  to  Section  1.1(e)) and the aggregate
                 amount   of  Revolving  Loans  outstanding  on  the  Term  Loan
                 Conversion  Date,  as  such  amount may be reduced from time to
                 time pursuant to Section 1.7 or Section 7.2.

                 (b)  by adding thereto the following new definitions:

                      "CTI"  means Covenant Transport, Inc., a Tennessee corpor-
                 ation which is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Parent.

                      "Third  Amendment"  means  the  Third  Amendment to Credit
                 Agreement,  dated as of March 31, 1997, among the Borrower, the
                 Agent and the Banks.

     6.     Amendments  to Article XI.  (a)  Subject to the terms and conditions
of  this Amendment, Section 11.1(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to
provide that notices to the Borrower shall be addressed as follows:

                                    Covenant Transport, Inc.
                                    400 Birmingham Highway
                                    Chattanooga, Tennessee  37404

                                    Telecopier No.:  (423) 821-5442
                                    Telephone No.:  (423) 821-1212

                                    Attention:   Bradley A. Moline
                                    Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

                 (b)  Subject  to  the  terms  and conditions of this Amendment,
            Section  11.1(c)  of  the  Credit  Agreement  is  hereby  amended by
            inserting at the end thereof the following:

                      "Delivery  of  notice  to  either Borrower shall be deemed
                 notice to both Borrowers."

                 (c)  Subject  to  the  terms  and conditions of this Amendment,
            Article XI of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting at
            the end thereof the following new Sections 11.16, 11.17 and 11.18:





                                       -8-



<PAGE>



                 Section 11.16.Joint and Several Liability; Additional Waivers.

                           (a) This Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall
                 in  all respects be the absolute, unconditional, joint, several
                 and  irrevocable  agreement of each Borrower to pay and perform
                 the  Obligations and each Borrower jointly and severally agrees
                 that  the  Obligations  will  be paid and performed strictly in
                 accordance  with  the  terms  of the Loan Documents under which
                 they  arise, regardless  of any law, regulation or order now or
                 hereafter  in  effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such
                 terms  or  the  rights of the Agent, the Banks or the Letter of
                 Credit  Banks  with  respect  thereto.   The  liability of each
                 Borrower  under  this  Agreement  and  the other Loan Documents
                 shall  remain  in full force  and effect without regard to, and
                 shall  not  (except  to the extent of any waivers or amendments
                 to  this  Agreement  or  the  other  Loan   Documents  made  in
                 accordance  with  Section  11.5 hereof) be released, suspended,
                 discharged,  terminated, modified  or otherwise affected by any
                 circumstance   or  occurrence  whatsoever,  including   without
                 limitation  any  of  the following (whether or not any Borrower
                 consents  thereto or has notice thereof):  (i) any change in or
                 waiver  of  the  time, place or manner of payment, or any other
                 term,  of  any of the Obligations or Loan Documents, any waiver
                 of   or   any   renewal,  extension,  increase,  amendment   or
                 modification  of   or  addition,  consent  or  supplement to or
                 deletion  from,  or  any  other  action or inaction under or in
                 respect  of,  any  of  the Obligations or Loan Documents or any
                 other document, instrument  or agreement referred to therein or
                 any  assignment or  transfer of any of the  Obligations or Loan
                 Documents;   (ii)   any   lack   of   validity,   legality   or
                 enforceability  of any  of the Obligations or Loan Documents or
                 any  other  document,  instrument,  or  agreement  referred  to
                 therein  or  of  any assignment or transfer of any of the fore-
                 going;  (iii)  any  furnishing  to  the  Agent, the  Collateral
                 Agent,  the  Banks  or  the  Letter  of  Credit  Banks  of  any
                 collateral  for  any  of the Obligations or any sale, exchange,
                 release or surrender of, or realization on, any  collateral for
                 any  of  the  Obligations;  (iv)  any  settlement,  release  or
                 compromise  of  any  of  the Obligations or Loan Documents, any
                 collateral  therefor,  or  any   liability  of  any other party
                 (including  without  limitation  any  other  Borrower  or   any
                 guarantor)  with  respect  to  any  of  the Obligations or Loan
                 Documents,  or  any  subordination  of   payment  of any of the
                 Obligations   to   the  payment  of  any   other  indebtedness,
                 liability  or  obligation  of any Borrower; (v) any bankruptcy,
                 insolvency,  reorganization,  composition,  adjustment, merger,
                 consolidation,   dissolution,   liquidation   or   other   like
                 proceeding  or  occurrence  relating  to  any  Borrower  or any
                 other  change  in  the ownership, composition  or nature of any
                 Borrower;  (vi)  any  non-perfection,   subordination, release,
                 avoidability  or voidability of any security interest, security
                 title,  pledge,  collateral  assignment  or  other  lien of the
                 Agent,  the Collateral  Agent, any Bank or any Letter of Credit
                 Bank  on  any  collateral for  any of the  Obligations  or this
                 Agreement  or any other Loan Document; (vii) any application of
                 sums  paid  by any Borrower or any other person with respect to
                 any  of  the Obligations, except to the extent actually applied
                 against the Obligations, regardless of what other



                                       -9-




<PAGE>



                 liabilities  of such Borrower remain unpaid; (viii) the failure
                 of  the  Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Bank or any Letter of
                 Credit  Bank  to  assert  any claim or demand or to enforce any
                 right  or  remedy  against  any  Borrower  or  any other person
                 (including  any  Borrower  or  any  guarantor  of  any  of  the
                 Obligations) under  the provisions of any of the Loan Documents
                 or  otherwise,  or  any  failure  of  the Agent, the Collateral
                 Agent,  any  Bank or any  Letter of Credit Bank to exercise any
                 right  or  remedy  against any  Borrower or any guarantor of or
                 any  collateral  for any of the Obligations; (ix) any other act
                 or failure to act  by the Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Bank
                 or  any  Letter  of  Credit Bank which may adversely affect any
                 Borrower;  or (x) any  other circumstance which might otherwise
                 constitute   a  defense  against,  or  a  legal  or   equitable
                 discharge of, any  Borrower's liability under this Agreement or
                 any other Loan Document.

                           (b) Except for notices and demands expressly required
                 to  be  given to the Borrower under this Agreement or the other
                 Loan  Documents,  each  Borrower  hereby  waives: (i) notice of
                 acceptance  of  this  Agreement and the other Loan Documents by
                 the  Agent,  the  Collateral Agent, the Banks and the Letter of
                 Credit   Banks;   (ii)  notice   of  the  creation,  existence,
                 acquisition,  extension, or  renewal of any of the Obligations;
                 (iii) notice  of the amount of the Obligations outstanding from
                 time  to  time,  subject,  however, to each Borrower's right to
                 make inquiry of  the Agent at reasonable intervals to ascertain
                 the  amount of Obligations then outstanding; (iv) notice of any
                 default  or  event  of  default under any of the Loan Documents
                 (other  than  any notice expressly required thereunder) or with
                 respect  to  any  of  the  Obligations  or  notice of any other
                 adverse  change  in any Borrower's financial condition or means
                 or  ability  to  pay  any  of  the  Obligations  or perform its
                 obligations  under  any of  the Loan Documents or notice of any
                 other fact which  might increase any Borrower's risk hereunder;
                 (v)  notice  of  presentment,  demand,  protest, and  notice of
                 dishonor  or  nonpayment  as  to any instrument; (vi) notice of
                 any  acceleration  or  other  demand  for payment of any of the
                 Obligations  (except  as otherwise  expressly provided herein);
                 and (vii) all other  notices and demands to which the Borrowers
                 might  otherwise  be  entitled  with  respect  to  any  of  the
                 Obligations  or  the  Loan  Documents  or  with  respect to the
                 Agent's,  the Collateral Agent's, the  Banks' and the Letter of
                 Credit   Banks'  enforcement  of  their  rights  and   remedies
                 thereunder.   Each  Borrower  further  waives  any  right  such
                 Borrower  may  have,  by  statute  or otherwise, to require the
                 Agent, the  Collateral Agent, the Banks or the Letter of Credit
                 Banks  to seek recourse first against any other Borrower or any
                 other  person, or to realize upon any collateral for any of the
                 Obligations,  as  a  condition  precedent  to  enforcing   such
                 Borrower's  joint  and  several liability and obligations under
                 this  Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each Borrower
                 further  waives any defense arising by reason of any incapacity
                 or  other  disability of any other Borrower or by reason of any
                 other  defense  which  any  Borrower  may  have  on  any of the
                 Obligations  or under any of the Loan Documents.  Each Borrower
                 consents  and  agrees that, without notice to or consent by any
                 Borrower  and  without affecting  or impairing the liability of
                 any



                                      -10-

<PAGE>



                 Borrower  under  this  Agreement and  the other Loan Documents,
                 the  Agent,  the Collateral Agent,  the Banks and the Letter of
                 Credit  Banks  may  compromise  or settle, extend the period of
                 duration   or   the   time   for  the  payment,  discharge   or
                 performance  of  any  of  the Obligations or Loan Documents, or
                 may  refuse  to  enforce  or  may release all or any parties to
                 any  or  all  of  the Obligations (including without limitation
                 any   other   Borrower  or   any  guarantor  thereof)  or   any
                 collateral  therefor,  or  may  grant  other indulgences to any
                 other  Borrower  or  such other  parties in respect thereof, or
                 may  waive,  amend  or  supplement in any manner the provisions
                 of   any  of  the  Loan  Documents   or   any  other  document,
                 instrument  or  agreement  relating  to  or securing any of the
                 Obligations,  or  may  release, surrender, exchange, modify, or
                 compromise  any  and   all  collateral  securing  any  of   the
                 Obligations  or  in  which the Agent, the Collateral Agent, any
                 Bank  or  any  Letter  of  Credit  Bank  may at any time have a
                 lien,  or  may  refuse  to  enforce  its rights or may make any
                 compromise  or settlement or  agreement therefor, in respect of
                 any  and  all  of such  collateral, or with any party to any of
                 the  Obligations  or Loan  Documents, or with any other person,
                 or  may  release  or  substitute  any  one or more of the other
                 endorsers  or  guarantors  of the Obligations, or may exchange,
                 enforce,  waive  or  release any collateral for any guaranty of
                 any  of  the  Obligations.  Each  Borrower further consents and
                 agrees  that  the  Agent, the  Collateral  Agent, the Banks and
                 the  Letter of  Credit  Banks shall not be under any obligation
                 to  marshal  any  assets in favor of any Borrower or against or
                 in payment of any of the Obligations.

                           (c) Each Borrower agrees that no payment, performance
                 or  enforcement  of such Borrower's liabilities and obligations
                 under  this  Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall cause
                 such  Borrower  by  subrogation  or  otherwise , to acquire any
                 rights  of  the  Agent,  the  Collateral Agent, any Bank or any
                 Letter  of  Credit Bank against any Borrower or any property of
                 any  Borrower (or any interest in such rights) unless and until
                 the  Agent,  the  Collateral Agent, the Banks and the Letter of
                 Credit  Banks  have  received  full and indefeasible payment of
                 all of the Obligations.

                           (d)   Each   reference  to  "the  Borrower"  in  this
                 Agreement  shall be deemed to be a reference to either Borrower
                 or, collectively, both Borrowers, as appropriate.




                                      -11-

<PAGE>



                 Section 11.17.  Maximum Liability; Contribution Rights.

                           (a)  It  is the intention of the Borrowers and of the
                 Banks,  the  Letter  of  Credit  Banks  and the Agent that each
                 Borrower's  obligations  hereunder  shall  be  in,  but  not in
                 excess  of, the  maximum amount permitted by applicable federal
                 bankruptcy,   state   insolvency,   fraudulent  conveyance   or
                 transfer  or  similar  laws  ("Applicable  Bankruptcy Law"). To
                 that  end,  but  only  to  the  extent  such  obligations would
                 otherwise  be  subject to avoidance under Applicable Bankruptcy
                 Law  if  any  Borrower  is not deemed to have received valuable
                 consideration,  fair  value  or reasonably equivalent value for
                 its   obligations   hereunder,   such   Borrower's   respective
                 obligations  hereunder  shall  be reduced to that amount which,
                 after  giving  effect  thereto,  would not render such Borrower
                 insolvent,  or  leave  such  Borrower  with  unreasonably small
                 capital  to  conduct  its  business,  or cause such Borrower to
                 have  incurred  debts  (or  intended  to  have  incurred debts)
                 beyond  its  ability  to pay  such debts as they mature, at the
                 time  such  obligations  are deemed to have been incurred under
                 Applicable   Bankruptcy   Law.   As  used   herein,  the  terms
                 "insolvent" and "unreasonably small  capital" shall likewise be
                 determined  in accordance with Applicable Bankruptcy Law.  This
                 Section  is  intended  solely  to  preserve  the  rights of the
                 Banks,  the  Letter of  Credit Banks and the Agent hereunder to
                 the  maximum extent permitted by Applicable Bankruptcy Law, and
                 none  of  the  Borrowers  nor  any other Persons shall have any
                 right  or  claim under this Section that would not otherwise be
                 available under Applicable Bankruptcy Law.

                           (b)  If  and  to  the extent that any Borrower shall,
                 under  this Agreement or any other Loan Document make a payment
                 (a "Borrower Payment") of all or any portion of the Obligations
                 then  such  Borrower  shall  be  entitled  to  contribution and
                 indemnification  from each of the other Borrowers (collectively
                 the  "Contributing  Borrowers")  in  an  amount,  for each such
                 Contributing  Borrower,  equal  to  a fraction of such Borrower
                 Payment,  the  numerator of which fraction is such Contributing
                 Borrower's  Allocable  Amount  of such Borrower Payment and the
                 denominator of which is the sum of all of the Allocable Amounts
                 of  such Borrower Payment of all of the Contributing Borrowers.
                 As of any date of determination thereof and with respect to any
                 Borrower  Payment,  the "Allocable Amount" of each Contributing
                 Borrower  shall  be  equal  to  the maximum amount of liability
                 which  could  be  asserted  against  such Contributing Borrower
                 under this Agreement or any other Loan Document with respect to
                 such  Borrower  Payment without (i) rendering such Contributing
                 Borrower  insolvent,  (ii)  leaving  such Contributing Borrower
                 with  unreasonably  small  capital  to conduct its business, or
                 (iii) causing such Contributing Borrower to have incurred debts
                 beyond  its  ability to pay such debts as they mature.  As used
                 in  this Section 11.17, the terms "insolvent" and "unreasonably
                 small  capital"  shall be determined in accordance with Applic-
                 able  Bankruptcy  Laws.  This Section 11.17 is intended only to
                 define  the  relative  rights  and obligations of the Borrowers
                 with respect to



                                      -12-

<PAGE>



                 any  and  all  Borrower Payments, and nothing set forth in this
                 Section  11.17 is intended to or shall otherwise modify, affect
                 or  impair  the  obligations  of  the  Borrowers,  jointly  and
                 severally, to pay any or all of the Obligations as and when the
                 same  shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms
                 of  this  Agreement  and the other Loan Documents.  Each of the
                 Borrowers  hereby  acknowledges that the rights of contribution
                 and  indemnification hereunder shall constitute assets in favor
                 of each Borrower to which such contribution and indemnification
                 is  owing  hereunder.  The agreements contained in this Section
                 11.17  shall  continue  in full force and effect and may not be
                 terminated  or  otherwise  revoked by any Borrower until all of
                 the  Obligations  have  been indefeasibly paid in full and this
                 Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall been terminated in
                 accordance with the terms thereof.

                      Section 11.18. Subordination. Until all of the Commitments
                 and  Letters  of  Credit  have  been  terminated and all Loans,
                 Reimbursement  Obligations and other Obligations have been paid
                 in full, all present and future indebtedness and obligations of
                 any  Borrower  to any other Borrower are hereby subordinated in
                 right  of  payment  to the Obligations, provided, however, that
                 any such Borrower may receive payments of any such indebtedness
                 so  long  as  no  Default shall have occurred and be continuing
                 hereunder.   All  monies  received from any Borrower or for its
                 account by any other Borrower with respect to such indebtedness
                 or  obligations after the occurrence and during the continuance
                 of  a  Default  hereunder  shall  be  received in trust for the
                 Banks,  the  Letter of Credit Banks and the Agent, and promptly
                 upon  receipt  be paid over to the Agent upon its request until
                 the  Obligations  are  fully paid, satisfied and performed, all
                 without  prejudice  to  and  without  in  any way affecting the
                 obligations of any Borrower hereunder.

     7.     Replacement  of  Exhibits A-1 through A-6.  Subject to the terms and
conditions  of this  Amendment,  Exhibits A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5 and A-6 of the
Credit  Agreement are hereby  replaced with the Exhibits A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5
and A-6 attached hereto.

     8.     Addition  of  Exhibits E and F.  Subject to the terms and conditions
of  this  Amendment,  Exhibits  E  and  F  attached  hereto  are  added  to  and
incorporated into the Credit Agreement.

     9.     Consent  to  Clyde  Fuller  Transaction.  Subject  to the  terms and
conditions  of this  Amendment,  the Agent and the Banks  hereby  consent to the
consummation  of the  transaction  described on Exhibit B attached  hereto,  and
hereby waive any Event of Default  arising under Sections 5.6, 5.7, 5.10 or 5.18
of the Credit Agreement (other than an Event of Default caused by the failure of
the Parent or any new  Subsidiary to deliver the additional  Security  Documents
required under Sections 5.18 and 5.21) solely by reason of the  consummation  of
the transaction  described on Exhibit B. The foregoing  consent and waiver shall
apply only to the matter  stated and shall not  constitute a waiver by the Agent
or the Banks of any other or future Default or Event of Default.




                                      -13-

<PAGE>



     10.    Consent  to Formation of New Subsidiaries.  Subject to the terms and
conditions  of this  Amendment,  the Agent and the Banks  hereby  consent to the
formation of the new Subsidiaries  identified on Exhibit C attached hereto,  and
hereby  waive any Event of Default  arising  under  Section  5.17 or 5.18 of the
Credit  Agreement  (other than an Event of Default  caused by the failure of any
such new Subsidiary to deliver the additional  Security Documents required under
Section  5.18  and  5.21)  solely  by  reason  of  the  formation  of  such  new
Subsidiaries.  The  foregoing  consent and waiver shall apply only to the matter
stated and shall not  constitute a waiver by the Agent or the Banks of any other
or future Default or Event of Default.  Schedule 4.1 of the Credit  Agreement is
hereby amended by adding thereto the names of the new Subsidiaries identified on
Exhibit C hereto.

     11.    Representations  and   Warranties.  Each   of the  Borrowers  hereby
represents  and warrants to the Agent and the Banks that (a) this  Amendment has
been duly  authorized,  executed and delivered by each of the Borrowers,  (b) no
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of this date,  and
(c) all of the  representations  and  warranties  made by the  "Borrower" in the
Credit Agreement are true and correct in all material  respects on and as of the
date of this Amendment  (except to the extent that any such  representations  or
warranties  expressly  referred  to a specific  prior  date).  Any breach by the
Borrowers of the  representations  and  warranties  contained in this Section 11
shall be an Event of Default for all purposes of the Credit Agreement.

     12.    Ratification.  Each  of  the Borrowers hereby ratifies and reaffirms
each and every term,  covenant and condition  set forth in the Credit  Agreement
and all other  documents  delivered  by such  Borrower in  connection  therewith
(including  without  limitation  the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is a
party), effective as of the date hereof.

     13.    Estoppel.  To  induce  the  Agent and  the Banks to enter  into this
Amendment,  each of the Borrowers hereby acknowledges and agrees that, as of the
date hereof,  there exists no right of offset,  defense or counterclaim in favor
of such  Borrowers  as against the Agent,  any Bank or any Letter of Credit Bank
with respect to the  obligations  of the  Borrowers to any of such parties under
the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents,  either with or without giving
effect to this Amendment.

     14.    Conditions  to Effectiveness. This Amendment shall become effective,
upon the Effective Date, subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions
on or prior to such date:

            (a)  the receipt by  the  Agent  of  this  Amendment, duly executed,
     completed  and  delivered  by  the  Agent, the Banks and the Borrowers, and
     consented to by the Parent;

            (b)  the receipt by the Agent and the Banks of replacement Revolving
     Notes  evidencing Base Rate Loans, Alternate Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar
     Loans,  duly  executed  by  the  Borrowers and payable to the order of each
     Bank;

            (c)  the  receipt by the Agent of such additional Security Documents
     or  modifications of the existing Security Documents as may be requested by
     the Agent,



                                      -14-

<PAGE>



     duly executed by the Parent and/or each Borrower which is a party  thereto,
     and  the  Collateral Agent, in each case in form and substance satisfactory
     to the Agent;

            (d)  the receipt by the  Agent  of  such modifications of the Inter-
     creditor  Agreement  as may be requested by the Agent, duly executed by the
     Collateral  Agent  and  the  Senior  Noteholders,  and  acknowledged by the
     Borrowers,  the Parent and each other new Subsidiary, in form and substance
     satisfactory to the Agent;

            (e)  the  receipt  by  the  Agent  of  a Guaranty Agreement and such
     Security  Documents as may be requested by the Agent, duly executed by each
     new  Subsidiary (other than Leasing) and in form and substance satisfactory
     to the Agent;

            (f)  the  receipt  by the Agent of a certificate of the Secretary or
     an  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Parent, each Borrower and each other new
     Subsidiary,  in  form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, with respect
     to the officers of the Parent, the Borrowers and the other new Subsidiaries
     authorized  to  deliver this Amendment, the replacement Revolving Notes and
     the  other  supplemental Loan Documents contemplated hereby, to which shall
     be  attached  copies  of  the  resolutions  and  bylaws referred to in such
     certificate;

            (g)  the  receipt  by the Agent of a certificate of incorporation of
     each   new   Subsidiary,  certified  by  the  Secretary  of  State  of  its
     jurisdiction of incorporation;

            (h)  the receipt by the Agent of a certificate of good standing with
     respect  to the Parent, each Borrower and each other new Subsidiary, issued
     as  of  a  recent  date  by  the  Secretary of State of its jurisdiction of
     incorporation;

            (i)  the receipt by the Agent of a certificate as to the solvency of
     the  Parent  and  its  Subsidiaries,  duly  executed by the chief financial
     officer of the Parent and in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent;

            (j)  the  receipt  by  the  Agent  of  an  opinion of counsel to the
     Parent,  the Borrowers and the other new Subsidiaries as to such matters as
     may  be requested by the Agent or the Required Banks, in form and substance
     satisfactory to the Agent and the Required Banks;

            (k)  the receipt by the Agent of such other documents, certificates,
     instruments and opinions as the Agent may reasonably request; and

            (l)  the  receipt  by  the Agent of all fees and expenses payable to
     the  Agent  and  the Banks in connection with the Credit Agreement and this
     Amendment including without limitation, the reasonable legal fees and other
     reasonable out of pocket expenses  of the Agent and each Bank  incurred  in
     connection with this Amendment.

     15.    Reimbursement  of Expenses. Each of the Borrowers hereby jointly and
severally agrees that it shall reimburse the Agent on demand for all costs and
expenses (including



                                      -15-

<PAGE>



without limitation  attorney's fees) incurred by such parties in connection with
the negotiation,  documentation and consummation of this Amendment and the other
documents  executed in connection  herewith and  therewith and the  transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby.

     16.    Governing  Law.  THIS  AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH,  THE  LAWS  OF  THE  STATE  OF GEORGIA FOR CONTRACTS TO BE
PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SAID STATE.

     17.    Severability  of Provisions.  Any  provision of this Amendment which
is  prohibited  or  unenforceable   in  any  jurisdiction   shall,  as  to  such
jurisdiction,   be   ineffective   to  the   extent  of  such   prohibition   or
unenforceability   without  invalidating  the  remaining  provisions  hereof  or
affecting  the  validity  or  enforceability  of  such  provision  in any  other
jurisdiction.  To the extent  permitted by Applicable Law, each of the Borrowers
hereby waives any provision of law that renders any provision hereof  prohibited
or unenforceable in any respect.

     18.    Counterparts.  This  Amendment  may  be  executed  in  any number of
counterparts,  all  of  which shall be deemed to constitute but one original and
shall be binding upon all parties, their successors and permitted assigns.

     19.    Entire  Agreement. The Credit Agreement as amended by this Agreement
embodies the entire agreement between the parties hereto relating to the subject
matter   hereof   and  supersedes  all  prior  agreements,  representations  and
understandings, if any, relating to the subject matter hereof.


                                      -16-

<PAGE>






     IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  have  caused this Amendment to be duly
executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized,  as of the date
first above written.


                                          COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC., a Tennessee
                                          corporation, as a Borrower


                                          By:
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                          COVENANT LEASING, INC., a Nevada
                                          corporation, as a Borrower


                                          By:
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                          ABN AMRO BANK N.V., acting through
                                          its Atlanta Agency, as Agent


                                          By:
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                          By:
                                          Name:
                                          Title:




                                      -17-

<PAGE>






                                          ABN AMRO BANK N.V., acting through
                                          its Atlanta Agency, as a Bank


                                           By:
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

                                           By:
                                           Name:
                                           Title:




Commitments:                     Amount:                            Percentage:

Revolving                     $26,000,000                             .30588235
Term                          $26,000,000                             .30588235


                                      -18-

376858.3


<PAGE>






                                          THE FIRST NATIONAL  BANK
                                          OF CHICAGO


                                          By:
                                          Name:
                                          Title:




Commitments:                     Amount:                            Percentage:

Revolving                     $22,000,000                             .25882353
Term                          $22,000,000                             .25882353


                                      -19-


<PAGE>






                                          NATIONSBANK, N.A. (SOUTH)


                                          By:
                                          Name:
                                          Title:






Commitments:                     Amount:                            Percentage:

Revolving                     $22,000,000                             .25882353
Term                          $22,000,000                             .25882353


                                      -20-

<PAGE>






                                          FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK


                                          By:
                                          Name:
                                          Title:





Commitments:                     Amount:                            Percentage:

Revolving                     $15,000,000                             .17647059
Term                          $15,000,000                             .17647059



                                      -21-

<PAGE>


                              CONSENT OF GUARANTOR


         The undersigned  COVENANT  TRANSPORT,  INC., a Nevada  corporation,  as
guarantor (the "Guarantor") under that certain Guaranty  Agreement  (hereinafter
called the "Guaranty"),  dated as of January 17, 1995, executed by the Guarantor
pursuant to the Credit Agreement (the "Credit  Agreement"),  dated as of January
17,  1995,  among  Covenant  Transport,   Inc.,  a  Tennessee  corporation  (the
"Borrower"),  the Banks signatories thereto (the "Banks"),  the Banks serving as
Letter of Credit Banks  thereunder,  and ABN AMRO Bank N.V.,  acting through its
Atlanta Agency,  as Agent (all of the foregoing parties being herein referred to
collectively as the "Guaranteed Parties"),  with respect to the indebtedness and
obligations of the Borrower arising under the Credit Agreement,  hereby consents
to and  approves of the  execution  and delivery by the Borrower of that certain
Third  Amendment to Credit  Agreement  (the  "Amendment"),  dated as of the date
hereof,  executed by and among the Borrower,  Covenant  Leasing,  Inc., a Nevada
corporation  ("Leasing"),  and the  Guaranteed  Parties,  and  the  transactions
contemplated  thereby (including without limitation the addition of Leasing as a
Borrower thereunder),  and further consents to and approves of the execution and
delivery by the  Borrower  and Leasing of all other  documents  and  instruments
executed or to be executed by the Borrower or Leasing in  connection  therewith,
including, without limitation, the replacement Notes.

         The Guarantor  acknowledges  and agrees that the execution and delivery
of the Amendment and the replacement  Notes shall not diminish,  impair,  alter,
discharge or otherwise affect in any manner  whatsoever the duties,  obligations
and  liabilities  of  the  Guarantor  under  the  Guaranty  including,   without
limitation, the obligation of the Guarantor for the payment of the "Obligations"
(as that term is defined in the Guaranty and the Credit Agreement).

         The Guarantor hereby  ratifies,  confirms and approves the Guaranty and
all  of  the  terms  and  provisions  thereof,  and  agrees  that  the  Guaranty
constitutes  the valid and binding  obligation of the Guarantor,  enforceable by
the Guaranteed Parties in accordance with its terms.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the Guarantor has executed this consent, as of the
31st day of March, 1997.


                                          GUARANTOR:

                                          COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC., a Nevada
                                          corporation


                                          By:
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


<PAGE>

                        WAIVER TO NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

    THIS  WAIVER  dated  as  of  March 31, 1997 to the Note  Purchase  Agreement
dated as of October 15, 1995, as amended, is among Covenant  Transport,  Inc., a
Tennessee  corporation  (the  "Company"),  Covenant  Transport,  Inc.,  a Nevada
corporation  (the  "Guarantor"),  and each of the entities  listed on Schedule 1
hereto (the "Noteholders").

                                    RECITALS:

     A.     The Company and the  Guarantor  have  heretofore  entered  into that
certain Note Purchase Agreement dated as of October 15, 1995 (the "Note Purchase
Agreement") with Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, on behalf of one or
more separate  accounts,  Connecticut  General Life  Insurance  Company and Life
Insurance  Company of North America,  as amended  pursuant to that certain First
Amendment to Note Purchase  Agreement and Waiver dated as of April 1, 1996.  The
Company has heretofore  issued  $25,000,000 of its 7.39% Guaranteed Senior Notes
due October 1, 2005 (the "Notes"),  and the Guarantor has heretofore  guaranteed
such Notes, pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement.

     B.     The  Company, the Guarantor and the Noteholders now desire to enter
into  a  waiver  of  certain  provisions  of  the  Note  Purchase  Agreement  as
hereinafter set forth.

     NOW,  THEREFORE, the Company, the Guarantor and the Noteholders, in consid-
eration of good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
is hereby acknowledged, do hereby agree as follows:

     Sections  10.1 and 10.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement are hereby waived in
order  to  permit  the consummation of the transaction described in the attached
Exhibit A.

     This  Waiver  shall be construed in connection with and as part of the Note
Purchase  Agreement, and except as expressly set forth herein, all terms, condi-
tions,  and covenants contained in the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes are
hereby ratified and shall be and remain in full force and effect.

     Any  and all notices, requests, certificates and other instruments executed
and  delivered  after the execution and delivery of this Waiver may refer to the
Note  Purchase Agreement without making specific reference to this Waiver unless
the context otherwise requires.

     This  Waiver  shall  be  governed  by  and  construed  in  accordance  with
Connecticut law.




<PAGE>



     IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  Company, the Guarantor and the Noteholders have
caused this  instrument  to be executed,  all as of the day and year first above
written.

                                         THE COMPANY:

                                         COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC.,
                                         a Tennessee corporation

                                         By_________________________
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

                                         THE GUARANTOR:

                                         COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC.,
                                         a Nevada corporation

                                         By_________________________
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

                                         THE NOTEHOLDERS:

                                         CONNECTICUT  GENERAL LIFE  INSURANCE
                                         COMPANY,  on  behalf  of one or more
                                         separate     accounts    By    CIGNA
                                         Investments, Inc.

                                         By_________________________
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

                                         CONNECTICUT GENERAL LIFE INSURANCE
                                         COMPANY
                                         By CIGNA Investments, Inc.

                                         By_________________________
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

                                         LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA
                                         By CIGNA Investments, Inc.

                                         By_________________________
                                         Name:
                                         Title:




<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE I

                                   Noteholders

Connecticut General Life Insurance Company,
on behalf of one or more separate accounts

Connecticut General Life Insurance Company

Life Insurance Company of North America


<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT 11
                    COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                SCHEDULE OF COMPUTATION OF NET EARNINGS PER SHARE
                   THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND 1997


                                                             1996         1997
                                                         -----------------------
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>
Net earnings .........................................      482,320    1,838,258
                                                         =======================
Weighted average shares:
  Common shares outstanding ..........................   13,350,000   13,350,000
 Common equivalent shares issuable upon exercise
    of employee stock options<F1> ....................            -            -
                                                         -----------------------
 Total weighted average shares .......................   13,350,000   13,350,000
                                                         =======================
Primary net earnings per common and equivalent share .   $     0.04   $     0.14
                                                         =======================





Notes:
<FN>
<F1> Amount calculated using the treasury stock method and fair market values.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                         SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT


                 Intellectual Property Co., a Nevada corporation

                  Covenant Leasing, Inc., a Nevada corporation

                   C & F Acquisition Co., a Nevada corporation

                Covenant Transport, Inc., a Tennessee corporation

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<CIK>                         0000928658
<NAME>                        COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                  1
<CURRENCY>                    US Dollars
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                     3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                 DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                    JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                      MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                   1
<CASH>                            4,264,789
<SECURITIES>                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                    34,869,339
<ALLOWANCES>                              0
<INVENTORY>                         988,247
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                 48,172,042
<PP&E>                          197,344,869
<DEPRECIATION>                   44,281,078
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  202,405,633
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>             9,630,559
<BONDS>                                   0
                     0
                               0
<COMMON>                            133,500
<OTHER-SE>                       83,434,574
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    202,405,633
<SALES>                                   0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                 62,587,858
<CGS>                                     0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                    58,306,113
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                1,367,487
<INCOME-PRETAX>                   2,914,258
<INCOME-TAX>                      1,076,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>               1,838,258
<DISCONTINUED>                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<CHANGES>                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                      1,838,258
<EPS-PRIMARY>                           .14
<EPS-DILUTED>                           .14
        


</TABLE>


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