<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS OF FROZEN FOOD EXPRESS INDUSTRIES, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES AS OF MARCH 31, 2000, AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME,
CASH FLOWS AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                           2,985
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   58,674
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,815
<INVENTORY>                                     17,168
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                80,609
<PP&E>                                         117,919
<DEPRECIATION>                                  47,803
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 165,495
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           64,206
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        25,921
<OTHER-SE>                                      56,556
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   165,495
<SALES>                                         15,525
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                92,416
<CGS>                                           76,868
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   92,158
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,124
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   719
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 592
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (866)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (303)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (563)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (563)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.03)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.03)