<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ARKANSAS
BEST CORPORATION QUARTERLY REPORT OF FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER
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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                             163
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  251,346
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,919
<INVENTORY>                                     35,901
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               325,453
<PP&E>                                         624,033
<DEPRECIATION>                                 187,108
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 964,195
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          318,693
<BONDS>                                        335,987
<COMMON>                                           195
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         15
<OTHER-SE>                                     206,453
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   964,195
<SALES>                                        110,693
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,021,852
<CGS>                                          105,476
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,015,434
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,136
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,218
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (6,729)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (425)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (6,304)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (6,304)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.49)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.49)