<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