<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN ARNOLD INDUSTRIES, INC.'S FORM 10-K
FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                      26,504,782
<SECURITIES>                                 9,786,175
<RECEIVABLES>                               41,403,379
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,340,028
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            92,254,963
<PP&E>                                     346,003,319
<DEPRECIATION>                             140,441,244
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             317,040,416
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       46,333,605
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    29,942,628
<OTHER-SE>                                 187,310,328
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               317,040,416
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           383,164,535
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              332,249,045
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               851,230
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,379,932
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             50,889,105
<INCOME-TAX>                                18,678,890
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         32,210,215
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                32,210,215
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.22