<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S
FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000745379
<NAME> KENAN TRANSPORT COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          11,185
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,723
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        475
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<PP&E>                                          74,740
<DEPRECIATION>                                  29,719
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<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            9,535
<BONDS>                                              0
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<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,096
<OTHER-SE>                                      44,304
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    66,201
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                34,979
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   32,208
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,888
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,102
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,786
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,786
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .75
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .75