<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000745379
<NAME> KENAN TRANSPORT COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           5,268
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,144
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        628
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                21,665
<PP&E>                                          92,568
<DEPRECIATION>                                  35,414
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  91,481
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           17,177
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,400
<OTHER-SE>                                      48,306
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    91,481
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                96,692
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   90,270
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (138)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 558
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,002
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,432
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,570
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,570
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.48