<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCING INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN ARNOLD INDUSTRIES, INC.'S FORM 10-Q
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                      15,206,812
<SECURITIES>                                18,818,393
<RECEIVABLES>                               36,296,770
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,201,708
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            79,266,614
<PP&E>                                     316,981,585
<DEPRECIATION>                             118,129,341
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             298,171,639
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       53,850,770
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    29,942,628
<OTHER-SE>                                 176,016,786
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               298,171,639
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           263,945,347
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              233,306,958
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,038,810
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             931,207
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             29,962,147
<INCOME-TAX>                                10,636,746
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         19,325,401
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                19,325,401
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .73