<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CONTINENTAL AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES AT AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000866457
<NAME>                        u@3xakrg
<MULTIPLIER>                                      1
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             Jun-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                Jul-1-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                  Mar-31-1997
<CASH>                                             52,545
<SECURITIES>                                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  10,057,912
<ALLOWANCES>                                      852,301
<INVENTORY>                                       244,193
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               12,684,778
<PP&E>                                         84,236,079
<DEPRECIATION>                                 32,403,807
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 70,365,485
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          35,605,897
<BONDS>                                        52,587,592
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0
<PREFERRED>                                       200,000
<COMMON>                                        9,835,064
<OTHER-SE>                                     (9,670,678)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   70,365,485
<SALES>                                            0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               54,579,474
<CGS>                                              0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  58,050,346
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              3,762,837
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,192,351)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      397,671
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (7,590,022)
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (7,590,022)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (1.56)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (1.56)