<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ARKANSAS
BEST CORPORATION FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000894405
<NAME> ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1995
<CASH>                                           8,796
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  130,966
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,848
<INVENTORY>                                     35,292
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               184,249
<PP&E>                                         391,717
<DEPRECIATION>                                 173,449
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 567,585
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          222,808
<BONDS>                                         57,016
<COMMON>                                           195
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         15
<OTHER-SE>                                     220,266
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   567,585
<SALES>                                         33,214
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               311,207
<CGS>                                           31,497
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  297,853
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   597
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,128
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,758
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,616
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,142
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,142
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .21