<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, 1996, AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND
CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           4,764
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   41,273
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,715
<INVENTORY>                                      8,832
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                62,614
<PP&E>                                         100,888
<DEPRECIATION>                                  48,724
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 125,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           34,078
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        25,921
<OTHER-SE>                                      50,632
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   125,700
<SALES>                                          6,364
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                74,173
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   71,830
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   582
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   478
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,761
<INCOME-TAX>                                       411
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,350
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,350
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .08