<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 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> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1995 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1995 <CASH> 5,414 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 135,306 <ALLOWANCES> 2,810 <INVENTORY> 37,150 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 186,376 <PP&E> 411,027 <DEPRECIATION> 174,726 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 587,011 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 218,297 <BONDS> 79,741 <COMMON> 195 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 15 <OTHER-SE> 220,680 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 587,011 <SALES> 70,628 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 623,301 <CGS> 67,016 <TOTAL-COSTS> 602,743 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,486 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,649 <INCOME-PRETAX> 14,043 <INCOME-TAX> 7,218 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,825 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,825 <EPS-PRIMARY> .24 <EPS-DILUTED> .24