<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 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>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          11,181
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,988
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        413
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                20,054
<PP&E>                                          72,748
<DEPRECIATION>                                  28,615
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  65,044
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           10,020
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,996
<OTHER-SE>                                      42,847
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    65,044
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                68,795
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   62,551
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,254
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,449
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,805
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,805
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.59
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.59