<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