<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 NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                      28,182,824
<SECURITIES>                                 5,885,095
<RECEIVABLES>                               45,350,686
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,956,287
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            95,465,235
<PP&E>                                     356,433,172
<DEPRECIATION>                             146,849,819
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             323,812,320
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       56,012,960
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    29,942,628
<OTHER-SE>                                 193,658,753
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               323,812,320
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           300,493,801
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              259,862,263
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               861,750
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             838,202
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             40,393,377
<INCOME-TAX>                                14,901,973
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         25,491,404
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                25,491,404
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .99
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .98