<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 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>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           3,422
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,020
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        521
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                16,067
<PP&E>                                          85,161
<DEPRECIATION>                                  32,922
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  77,115
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,314
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,096
<OTHER-SE>                                      49,368
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    77,115
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                73,308
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   66,846
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (174)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  40
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,596
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,506
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,090
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,090
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.71
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.71