<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
TRANSFINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.'S CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER
30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000719271
<NAME> TRANSFINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                            5283
<SECURITIES>                                      3252
<RECEIVABLES>                                    29655
<ALLOWANCES>                                       958
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 48013
<PP&E>                                           52616
<DEPRECIATION>                                   21982
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   88494
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            12260
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            75
<OTHER-SE>                                       73511
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     88494
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 99372
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    96507
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   3476
<INCOME-TAX>                                      1571
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               1905
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      1905
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .30