<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 SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                      29,032,204
<SECURITIES>                                12,685,061
<RECEIVABLES>                               38,746,842
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,415,817
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            90,505,686
<PP&E>                                     332,809,292
<DEPRECIATION>                             132,612,485
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             310,083,408
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       53,617,637
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    29,942,628
<OTHER-SE>                                 178,097,325
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               310,083,408
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           187,879,966
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              161,281,032
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               630,386
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             651,199
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             26,492,063
<INCOME-TAX>                                 9,660,658
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         16,831,405
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                16,831,405
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .64