COVENANT TRANSPORT INC
10-Q, 1998-04-09
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, 1998

(   ) 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 (March 31, 1998)

           Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value: 11,013,500 shares
           Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value:  2,350,000 shares

                                                   Exhibit Index is on Page 11


                                                               Page 1 of 13

<PAGE>



                                    PART I
                             FINANCIAL INFORMATION


                                                                       PAGE
                                                                      NUMBER
Item 1. Financial statements
        Condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 1997
              and March 31, 1998 (unaudited)                             3
        Condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three
              months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998 (unaudited)           4
        Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three
              months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998 (unaudited)           5
        Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited) 6
Item 2. Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition      
              and results of operations                                  8


                                    PART II
                               OTHER INFORMATION


                                                                       PAGE
                                                                      NUMBER
Item 1.   Legal proceedings                                             12
Items 2.,
   3.,4.,
   and 5. Not applicable
Item 6.   Exhibits and reports on Form 8-K                              12




                                                               Page 2 of 13

<PAGE>



                   COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                  (unaudited)


                       ASSETS                         December 31    March 31,
                                                          1997         1998
                                                      -----------  -----------
                                                                   (unaudited)
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                          $  2,609,520 $  7,353,328
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $810,000
    in 1997 and $825,000 in 1998                       37,792,308   38,424,380
  Drivers advances and other receivables                  964,575    2,035,656
  Tire and parts inventory                              1,120,684    1,186,604
  Prepaid expenses                                      3,773,556    7,746,279
  Deferred income taxes                                 1,111,000    1,111,485
                                                      -----------  -----------
Total current assets                                   47,371,643   57,857,732

Property and equipment, at cost                       228,931,936  239,386,406
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization         67,310,934   64,419,417
                                                      -----------  -----------
Net property and equipment                            161,621,002  174,966,989
Other                                                   6,263,491    6,066,181
                                                      -----------  -----------

Total assets                                         $215,256,136 $238,890,902
                                                      ===========  ===========

        LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
Current liabilities:
  Current  maturities of long-term debt              $  1,565,639 $  1,597,250
  Accounts payable                                      5,328,346    6,747,987
  Accrued expenses                                      9,073,554   10,241,033
  Accrued income taxes                                    724,815      138,280
                                                      -----------  -----------
Total current liabilities                              16,692,354   18,724,550

Long-term debt, less current  maturities               80,811,783   98,414,042
Deferred income taxes                                  22,155,000   23,430,227
                                                      -----------  -----------
Total liabilities                                     119,659,137  140,568,819

Stockholders' equity:
  Class A common  stock, $.01 par value; 11,010,250  
    shares issued and outstanding as of December 31,
    1997 and March 31, 1998 respectively                  110,103      110,135
  Class B common stock, $.01 par value; 2,350,000
    shares issued and outstanding                          23,500       23,500
  Additional paid-in-capital                           50,634,369   50,684,716
  Retained earnings                                    44,829,027   47,503,731
                                                      -----------  -----------
 Total stockholders' equity                            95,596,999   98,322,083
                                                      -----------  -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity           $215,256,136 $238,890,902
                                                      ===========  ===========

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


                                                               Page 3 of 13

<PAGE>



                  COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                  THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998
                                 (unaudited)



                                                          1997       1998
                                                       ----------  ----------

Revenue                                               $62,587,858 $79,823,624

Operating expenses:
  Salaries, wages, and related expenses                27,685,230  35,241,704
  Fuel, oil and road expenses                          15,559,625  15,921,969
  Revenue equipment rentals and purchased
     transportation                                       427,388   5,001,882
  Repairs                                               1,267,433   1,924,765
  Operating taxes and licenses                          1,533,512   2,316,957
  Insurance                                             1,785,908   2,424,063
  General supplies and expenses                         3,690,990   4,438,073
  Depreciation and amortization, including gain on
    disposition of equipment                            6,356,027   6,772,950
                                                       ----------  ----------
    Total operating expenses                           58,306,113  74,042,363
                                                       ----------  ----------
    Operating income                                    4,281,745   5,781,261
Interest expense                                        1,367,487   1,461,158
                                                       ----------  ----------
Income before income taxes                              2,914,258   4,320,103
 Income tax expense                                     1,076,000   1,645,400
                                                       ----------  ----------
Net income                                            $ 1,838,258 $ 2,674,703
                                                       ========== ==========

Earnings per share:
Basic and diluted earnings per share                  $      0.14 $      0.20
                                                       ==========  ==========

Weighted average common shares outstanding                 13,350      13,361
                                                       ==========  ==========
Adjusted weighted average common shares and 
 assumed conversions outstanding                           13,350      13,387
                                                       ==========  ==========









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


                                                               Page 4 of 13

<PAGE>



                   COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                  THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998
                                  (unaudited)


                                                          1997         1998
                                                      -----------   -----------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                                           $  1,838,258  $  2,674,703
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
  provided by operating activities:
    Provision for losses on receivables                    50,000        15,000
    Depreciation and amortization                       6,360,277     7,761,109
    Deferred income taxes                               1,256,000     1,275,712
    Gain on disposition of property and equipment          (4,250)     (988,159)
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Receivables and advances                         (3,521,503)   (1,700,853)
      Prepaid expenses                                 (2,317,853)   (3,973,208)
      Tire and parts inventory                           (108,161)      (65,920)
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses              1,208,200    2,000,108
                                                      ------------  -----------
Net cash flow provided by operating activities           4,760,968    6,998,492

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Acquisition of property and equipment                (16,288,112) (29,834,279)
  Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment    1,300,390    9,895,352
                                                       -----------  -----------
Net cash flow used in investing activities             (14,987,722) (19,938,927)

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt              11,000,000   22,000,000
  Repayments of long-term debt                                  --   (4,366,132)
  Deferred debt issuance cost                                   --          --
  Exercise of stock options                                     --       50,375
                                                       -----------  -----------
Net cash flow provided by financing activities          11,000,000   17,684,243
                                                       -----------  -----------

Net change in cash and cash equivalents                    773,246    4,743,808

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period         3,491,543    2,609,520
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period           $   4,264,789 $  7,353,328
                                                       ===========  ===========








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


                                                               Page 5 of 13

<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, 1997
      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, 1997.
      Results of operations in interim periods are not necessarily indicative of
      results to be expected for a full year.

Note 2.     Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

      The following  table sets forth for the periods  indicated the calculation
      of net earnings per share included in the Company's Condensed Consolidated
      Statement of Operations:


                                           Period ended March 31,
                                        ----------------------------
                                             1997          1998
                                        ------------  --------------
Numerator:
  Net Income                            $  1,838,258  $  2,674,703
Denominator:
  Denominator for basic earnings per
    share -- weighted-average shares      13,350,000    13,361,000
  Effect of dilutive securities:
    Employee stock options                       --         26,000
                                        ------------  ------------
  Denominator for diluted earnings
    per share -- adjusted weighted-
    average shares and assumed
    conversions                           13,350,000    13,387,000
                                        ============  ============
Basic earnings per share:               $       0.14  $       0.20
                                        ============  ============
Diluted earnings per share:             $       0.14  $       0.20
                                        ============  ============

                                                               Page 6 of 13

<PAGE>


Note 3.     Audit

      The Internal  Revenue  Service is currently  auditing  the  Company's  tax
      return for 1995. No  assessment of additional  amounts owed by the Company
      has  been  made by the  Internal  Revenue  Service  to  date.  Based  upon
      discussions   with  the  Company's  tax  advisors,   management  does  not
      anticipate any material liability resulting from the audit.

Note 4.     Income Taxes

      Income tax expense varies from the amount computed by applying the federal
      corporate  income tax rate of 35% to income before income taxes  primarily
      due to state income taxes,  net of federal  income tax effect,  which were
      approximately  1% higher in the  quarter  ended March 31, 1998 as compared
      with the quarter ended March 31, 1997.

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


                          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;  competition from
      trucking,  rail, and intermodal  competitors;  and the ability to identify
      acceptable  acquisition  targets and  negotiate,  finance,  and consummate
      acquisitions and integrate acquired  companies.  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 7 of 13

<PAGE>



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


General

      The  Company's  revenue grew 27.5%,  to $79.8  million in the three months
ended March 31,  1998,  compared  with $62.5  million  during the same period of
1997.  The  Company's  pretax  margin  expanded to 5.4% of revenue  from 4.6% of
revenue,  reflecting  improved  revenue per tractor and lower costs of operation
(particularly  fuel) as a percentage of revenue.  Although the Company's  pretax
margin expanded,  there were significant  fluctuations among expense categories,
primarily  as a  result  of two  factors:  (i)  the  growing  percentage  of the
Company's tractor fleet being obtained through owner-operators, and (ii) the use
of operating  leases to finance a substantial  portion of the revenue  equipment
added during the second half of 1997.  Costs  associated with revenue  equipment
acquired under operating leases or through agreements with  owner-operators  are
expensed as "revenue equipment rentals and purchased  transportation." For these
categories  of  equipment  the Company does not incur costs such as interest and
depreciation as it might with owned equipment.  In addition,  for owner-operator
tractors, driver compensation, fuel, communications,  and certain other expenses
are borne by the owner-operator  and are not incurred by the Company.  Obtaining
equipment from  owner-operators  and under operating leases  effectively  shifts
expenses  from  interest  to "above  the line"  operating  expenses.  Because of
fluctuations that may occur from time-to-time in the percentage of the Company's
fleet that is owned versus  obtained from  owner-operators  and under  operating
leases,  management  intends to evaluate the Company's  efficiency  using pretax
margin and net margin rather than operating ratio.(*)

The following  table sets forth the percentage  relationship of certain items to
revenue for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998:

                                                          1997        1998
                                                      -----------  ----------
Revenue                                                  100.0%      100.0%
Operating expenses:
  Salaries, wages, and related expenses                   44.2        44.1
  Fuel, oil, and road expenses                            24.9        20.0
  Revenue equipment rentals and purchased                  0.7         6.3
     transportation
  Repairs                                                  2.0         2.4
  Operating taxes and licenses                             2.5         2.9
  Insurance                                                2.8         3.0
  General supplies and expenses                            5.9         5.6
  Depreciation and amortization, including gain on 
     disposition of equipment                             10.2         8.5
                                                      -----------  ----------
    Total operating expenses                              93.2        92.8
                                                      -----------  ----------
    Operating income                                       6.8         7.2
Interest expense                                           2.2         1.8
                                                      -----------  ----------
Income before income taxes                                 4.7         5.4
Income tax expense                                         1.7         2.1
                                                      -----------  ----------
Net income                                                 2.9%        3.4%
                                                      ===========  ==========


                                                               Page 8 of 13

<PAGE>

COMPARISON OF THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 TO THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31, 1997

Revenue  increased  $17.2 million  (27.5%),  to $79.8 million in the 1998 period
from $62.6  million in the 1997  period.  The  revenue  increase  was  primarily
generated by a 22.7% increase in weighted average tractors,  to 2,125 during the
1998  period  from  1,732  during  the  1997  period,  as the  Company  expanded
internally  to meet demand from new  customers  and higher  volume from existing
customers,  as well as externally through the acquisitions of Trans-Roads,  Inc.
and Bud Meyer Truck Lines, Inc. during August and October of 1997, respectively.
The Company's  average revenue per loaded mile increased to approximately  $1.15
during the 1998 period  from $1.11  during the 1997  period.  The  increase  was
attributable  to per-mile  rate  increases  negotiated by the Company as well as
higher revenue per loaded mile at Bud Meyer Truck Lines. The increase in average
revenue per loaded mile more than offset an increase in empty miles  percentage.
Revenue per total mile  increased  to $1.08 in the 1998 period from $1.05 in the
1997 period ($1.04 without fuel surcharge).

Salaries,  wages, and related expenses increased $7.6 million (27.3%),  to $35.2
million  in the  1998  period  from  $27.7  million  in the  1997  period.  As a
percentage of revenue, salaries, wages and related expenses remained essentially
constant  at 44.1% of revenue in the 1998  period and 44.2% in the 1997  period.
Driver  wages as a percentage  of revenue  decreased to 31.5% in the 1998 period
from 32.5% in the 1997 period as the use of  owner-operators  more than offset a
pay increase that went into effect in May 1997.  The Company also  experienced a
decrease in non-driving employee payroll expense to 3.2% in the 1998 period from
5.5% in the 1997  period  as the  Company  reduced  the  number  of  non-driving
employees  per  tractor,  and  continued to benefit from a reduction in worker's
compensation  premiums,  which were  negotiated in August 1997 with a fixed rate
for a three-year period.

Fuel, oil, and road expenses  increased $362,000 (2.3%), to $15.9 million in the
1998 period from $15.6  million in the 1997 period.  As a percentage of revenue,
fuel,  oil and road  expenses  decreased  to 20.0% of revenue in the 1998 period
from 24.9% in the 1997  period  primarily  as a result of  improved  fuel prices
during  the 1998  period.  Fuel  surcharges  were not in effect  during the 1998
period and amounted to nearly $.01 per mile during the 1997 period.

Revenue equipment rentals and purchased  transportation  increased $4.6 million,
to $5.0  million in the 1998  period  from  $427,000  in the 1997  period.  As a
percentage of revenue,  revenue equipment  rentals and purchased  transportation
increased to 6.3% in the 1998 period from 0.7% in the 1997 period.  During 1997,
the Company  began using  owner-operators  of revenue  equipment,  who provide a
tractor and driver and cover all of their  operating  expenses in exchange for a
fixed payment per mile.  Accordingly,  expenses such as driver  salaries,  fuel,
repairs,  depreciation,  and interest  normally  associated  with  Company-owned
equipment   are   consolidated   in  revenue   equipment   rents  and  purchased
transportation when owner-operators are utilized.  The Company also entered into
operating leases of 241 tractors during 1997.

Repairs increased $657,000 (51.9%), to $1.9 million in the 1998 period from $1.3
million in the 1997 period.  As a percentage  of revenue,  repairs  increased to
2.4% in the 1998 period from 2.0% in the 1997  period,  primarily as a result of
an  increase  in the  number of  tractors  and  trailers  damaged  in  accidents
experienced by the Company.



                                                               Page 9 of 13

<PAGE>



Operating taxes and licenses increased  approximately  $783,000 (51.1%), to $2.3
million in the 1998 period from $1.5 million in the 1997 period. As a percent of
revenue,  operating taxes and licenses increased to 2.9% in the 1998 period from
2.5% in the 1997 period.  The expense as a percent of revenue was elevated by an
unusual  concentration  of permits  that  normally  would be  received  over two
quarters.

Insurance  increased  $638,000 (35.7%),  to $2.4 million in the 1998 period from
$1.8 million in the 1997 period. As a percentage of revenue, insurance increased
to 3.0% of  revenue  in the  1998  period  from  2.8% in the 1997  period  as an
increase in accident claims and higher  deductible  limits ($5,000 compared with
$2,500) more than offset a reduction in insurance  premiums per million  dollars
of revenue.

General  supplies  and  expenses,  consisting  primarily  of driver  recruiting,
communications expenses, and facilities expenses, increased $747,000 (20.2%), to
$4.4  million in the 1998  period  from $3.7  million in the 1997  period.  As a
percentage  of revenue,  general  supplies  and  expenses  decreased  to 5.6% of
revenue in the 1998 period from 5.9% in the 1997  period.  The 1998  decrease is
primarily  related to the fixed  nature of a portion of these  costs,  which was
more effectively spread over higher revenue.

Depreciation and amortization,  consisting  primarily of depreciation of revenue
equipment,  increased  $417,000 (6.6%),  to $6.8 million in the 1998 period from
$6.4 million in the 1997 period.  As a percentage of revenue,  depreciation  and
amortization  decreased  to 8.5% of revenue in the 1998 period from 10.2% in the
1997 period as the Company  utilized more owner  operators,  leased more revenue
equipment,  and realized an increase in revenue per tractor per week, which more
efficiently spread this fixed cost over a larger revenue base.

Interest expense  increased  $94,000 (6.8%),  to $1.5 million in the 1998 period
from $1.4  million in the 1997  period.  Interest  expense  decreased to 1.8% of
revenue in the 1998 period from 2.2% in the 1997 period, as the Company financed
more equipment under operating  leases and contracted with more  owner-operators
during the 1998 period. 

As a result of the foregoing,  the Company's  pretax margin  improved to 5.4% in
the 1998 period versus 4.7% in the 1997 period.

The  Company's  effective  tax rate was 38.1% in the 1998 period  compared  with
36.9% in the 1997 period  reflecting  increased  state  income taxes in the 1998
period.

Primarily  as a result of the  factors  described  above,  net income  increased
$837,000 (45.5%), to $2.7 million in the 1998 period (3.4% of revenue) from $1.8
million in the 1997 period (2.9% of revenue).

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The growth of the Company's business has required significant investments in new
revenue equipment.  The Company has financed its revenue equipment  requirements
with  borrowings  under   installment   notes  payable  to  commercial   lending
institutions  and equipment  manufacturers,  borrowings  under a line of credit,
cash flows from operations, and long-term


                                                               Page 10 of 13

<PAGE>



operating  leases. The Company's primary sources of liquidity at March 31, 1998,
were funds  provided by  operations  and  borrowings  under its  primary  credit
agreement,  which had maximum  available  borrowing of $100 million at March 31,
1998 (the "Credit Agreement"). The Company believes its sources of liquidity are
adequate to meet its current and projected needs.(*)

The Company's  primary  sources of cash flow from  operations in the 1998 period
were net income  increased by  depreciation  and  amortization,  deferred income
taxes, and accounts payable and accrued  expenses.  The most significant uses of
cash provided by operations were to fund prepaid  expenses  (primarily  license
plates for  revenue  equipment)  and to finance  increases  in  receivables  and
advances  associated  with the Company's  revenue  growth.  Net cash provided by
operating activities was $7.0 million in the 1998 period and $4.8 million in the
1997 period.(*)

Net cash used in investing  activities  was $19.9 million in the 1998 period and
$15.0 million in the 1997 period.  These  investments  were primarily to acquire
additional  revenue equipment as the Company expanded its operations.  Projected
capital  expenditures for 1998 are also expected to be used primarily to acquire
additional revenue equipment. The Company expects such capital expenditures, net
of trade-ins,  to be approximately $20.0 million in the remainder of 1998. Total
projected capital  expenditures,  net of trade-ins,  for 1998 are expected to be
$40.0 million excluding the effect of any potential acquisitions. (*)

Net cash  provided by financing  activities  of $17.7 million in the 1998 period
was related to  borrowings  under the Credit  Agreement.  This compared with net
cash provided by financing  activities  of $11.0 million in the 1997 period.  At
March 31, 1998, the Company had outstanding  debt of $100.0  million,  primarily
consisting of  approximately  $70.0  million  drawn under the Credit  Agreement,
$25.0  million in  10-year  senior  notes,  and $5.0  million in term  equipment
financing. Interest rates on this debt range from 6.25% to 12.5%.

The Credit Agreement is with a group of banks and has a maximum  borrowing limit
of $100.0 million.  Borrowings  related to revenue  equipment are limited to the
lesser  of 90% of the net book  value of  revenue  equipment  or $85.0  million.
Working capital  borrowings are limited to 85% of eligible accounts  receivable.
Letters of credit are limited to an aggregate  commitment of $10.0 million.  The
Credit Agreement includes a "security  agreement" such that the Credit Agreement
may be  collateralized  by  virtually  all  assets of the  Company if a covenant
violation  occurs.  A  commitment  fee of  0.225%  per annum is due on the daily
unused portion of the Credit  Agreement.  The Credit  Agreement is guaranteed by
Covenant  Transport,  Inc. a Nevada  corporation,  Intellectual  Property Co., a
Nevada corporation,  Bud Meyer Truck Lines, Inc., a Minnesota  corporation,  and
Covenant Acquisition Co., a Nevada corporation.

The Credit Agreement revolves for two years and then has a four-year term out if
not renewed.  Payments for interest are due quarterly in arrears with  principal
payments  due  in 12  equal  quarterly  installments  beginning  on  the  second
anniversary  of the date of the Credit  Agreement (or any renewal).  The Company
renewed the loan in December 1997 and anticipates  renewing the Credit Agreement
on an annual basis.  Borrowings  under the Credit  Agreement may be based on the
banks' base rate or LIBOR and accrue  interest based on one, two, or three month
LIBOR rates plus an applicable margin that is adjusted  quarterly between 0.375%
and 1% based on cash flow coverage.  At March 31, 1998, the margin was 0.525%

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  instruments  are  cross-defaulted.  The
Company was in compliance with the agreements at March 31, 1998.

                                                               Page 11 of 13


<PAGE>



                   COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.     Legal Proceedings

            None

Items 2, 3,
4 and 5.    Not applicable

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


Exhibit
Number      Description
3.1+        Restated Articles of Incorporation.
3.2+        Amended By-Laws dated September 27, 1994.
4.1+        Restated Articles of Incorporation.
4.2+        Amended By-Laws dated September 27, 1994.
10.3++      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.
10.4+       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.
10.5+       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.
10.8+       Incentive Stock Plan filed as Exhibit 10.9.
10.9+       401(k) Plan filed as Exhibit 10.10.
10.12+++    Note  Purchase  Agreement  dated  October 15, 1995,  among  Covenant
            Transport, Inc., a Tennessee corporation and CIG & Co.
10.13+++    First  Amendment to Credit  Agreement  and Waiver dated  October 15,
            1995.
10.14++++   Participation   Agreement  dated  March  29,  1996,  among  Covenant
            Transport, Inc., a Tennessee corporation,  Lease Plan USA, Inc., and
            ABN-AMBO Bank,
            N.V., Atlanta Agency.
10.15++++   Second  Amendment  to Credit  Agreement  and Waiver  dated April 12,
            1996.
10.16++++   First Amendment to Note Purchase Agreement and Waiver dated April 1,
            1996.
10.17+++++  Third Amendment to Credit Agreement and Waiver dated March 31, 1997,
            filed as Exhibit 10.11.
10.18+++++  Waiver to Note  Purchase  Agreement  dated March 31, 1997,  filed as
            Exhibit 10.12.
10.19#      Second Amendment to Note Purchase Agreement dated December 30, 1997.
10.20#      Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated December 31, 1997.
10.21#      Stock  Purchase  Agreement  made and entered  into as of October 10,
            1997, by and among Covenant  Transport,  Inc., a Nevada corporation;
            Russell  Meyer;  and  Bud  Meyer  Truck  Lines,  Inc.,  a  Minnesota
            corporation.
21#         List of subsidiaries.
27          Financial Data Schedule.

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



                                                               Page 12 of 13

<PAGE>


+           Filed as an exhibit to the  registrant's  Registration  Statement on
            Form S-1, Registration No. 33-82978, effective October 28, 1994, and
            incorporated herein by reference.
++          Filed as an exhibit to the  registrant's  Form 10-Q for the  quarter
            ended March 31, 1995, and incorporated herein by reference.
+++         Filed as an exhibit to the registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended
            December 31, 1995, and incorporated herein by reference.
++++        Filed as an exhibit to the  registrant's  Form 10-Q for the  quarter
            ended March 31, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference.
+++++       Filed as an exhibit to the  registrant's  Form 10-Q for the  quarter
            ended March 31, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference.
#           Filed as an exhibit to the  registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K
            for the period ended December 31, 1997, and  incorporated  herein by
            reference.


                                   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 9, 1998                 /s/ Joey B. Hogan
      -------------                 -------------------------------------------
                                    Joey B. Hogan
                                    Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer


                                                               Page 13 of 13
<PAGE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>


       
<ARTICLE>                       5
<MULTIPLIER>                    1

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                    MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                          7,353,328
<SECURITIES>                    0
<RECEIVABLES>                   40,460,036
<ALLOWANCES>                    0
<INVENTORY>                     1,186,604
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                57,857,732
<PP&E>                          239,386,406
<DEPRECIATION>                  64,419,417
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  238,890,902
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>           18,724,550
<BONDS>                         0
           0
                     0
<COMMON>                        110,135
<OTHER-SE>                      23,500
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    238,890,902
<SALES>                         0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                79,823,624
<CGS>                           0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                   74,042,363
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>              1,461,158
<INCOME-PRETAX>                 4,320,103
<INCOME-TAX>                    1,645,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>             2,674,703
<DISCONTINUED>                  0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                 0
<CHANGES>                       0
<NET-INCOME>                    2,674,703
<EPS-PRIMARY>                   0.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                   0.20
        


</TABLE>


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