<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN ARNOLD INDUSTRIES, INC.'S FORM 10-Q
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                      
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                      12,272,661
<SECURITIES>                                11,316,398
<RECEIVABLES>                               33,781,800
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,403,092
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            65,454,663
<PP&E>                                     305,689,161
<DEPRECIATION>                             108,150,765
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             283,543,742
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       45,642,675
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    29,942,628
<OTHER-SE>                                 167,574,041
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               283,543,742
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            82,391,790
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               74,158,231
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               269,934
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             322,524
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              7,697,052
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,654,247
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          5,042,805
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 5,042,805
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .19