<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
    <CIK>                     0000928658
    <NAME>                    COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC.
    <MULTIPLIER>              1,000
    <CURRENCY>                U.S. DOLLARS

<S>                                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                        9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                        1.0
<CASH>                                                 383
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                       84,790
<ALLOWANCES>                                         1,303
<INVENTORY>                                          3,139
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   102,729
<PP&E>                                             357,788
<DEPRECIATION>                                     100,026
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     386,243
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               31,924
<BONDS>                                            141,605
                                    0
                                              0
<COMMON>                                               140
<OTHER-SE>                                         163,817
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       386,243
<SALES>                                                  0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   407,546
<CGS>                                                    0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      387,158
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   7,044
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     13,344
<INCOME-TAX>                                         5,334
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  8,010
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         8,010
<EPS-BASIC>                                            .55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          .54



</TABLE>



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission