<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM
FINANCIAL   STATEMENTS  OF  CONTINENTAL   AMERICAN   TRANSPORTATION,   INC.  AND
SUBSIDIARIES AT AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000866457
<NAME>                        Joseph J. Tomasek
<MULTIPLIER>                                      1     
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              Jun-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 Jul-1-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   Dec-31-1996
<CASH>                                          39,586
<SECURITIES>                                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  10,223,779
<ALLOWANCES>                                      852,301
<INVENTORY>                                       266,693
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               12,745,260
<PP&E>                                         92,546,577
<DEPRECIATION>                                 35,395,399
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 76,496,973
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          42,248,905
<BONDS>                                        60,592,983
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0
<PREFERRED>                                       200,000
<COMMON>                                        9,835,064
<OTHER-SE>                                     (8,259,014)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   76,496,973
<SALES>                                             0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               36,301,875
<CGS>                                               0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  39,745,173
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             2,375,249
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (5,786,710) 
<INCOME-TAX>                                     391,646 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (6,178,356)
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0 
<NET-INCOME>                                  (6,178,356)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.29)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.29)