<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 SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           2,776
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   46,016
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,087
<INVENTORY>                                      9,403
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                70,100
<PP&E>                                          96,463
<DEPRECIATION>                                  45,892
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 134,234
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           41,978
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        25,921
<OTHER-SE>                                      55,389
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   134,234
<SALES>                                         19,133
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               234,406
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  223,179
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,431
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,218
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,796
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,238
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,558
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,558
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .39