<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000745379
<NAME> KENAN TRANSPORT COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           9,415
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,799
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        526
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                19,709
<PP&E>                                          70,462
<DEPRECIATION>                                  28,250
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  62,681
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           10,300
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,996
<OTHER-SE>                                      40,566
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    62,681
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                17,587
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   15,939
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,718
<INCOME-TAX>                                       678
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,040
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,040
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .44