<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, 1997, AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN 
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,020
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   39,811
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,540
<INVENTORY>                                      7,807
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                64,230
<PP&E>                                         104,783
<DEPRECIATION>                                  46,254
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 135,242
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           26,164
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        25,921
<OTHER-SE>                                      59,457
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   135,242
<SALES>                                          4,860
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                72,686
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   69,738
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   978
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   576
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 140
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,970
<INCOME-TAX>                                       599
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,371
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,371
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .08