<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ARKANSAS
BEST CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
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>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          16,945
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  186,273
<ALLOWANCES>                                    19,403
<INVENTORY>                                     36,850
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               322,487
<PP&E>                                         598,189
<DEPRECIATION>                                 190,906
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 985,837
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          303,339
<BONDS>                                        399,144
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              195
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            15
<OTHER-SE>                                     177,654
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   985,837
<SALES>                                        145,127
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,437,279
<CGS>                                          108,686
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,460,738
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,185
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,046
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (46,987)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (14,195)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (32,792)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (32,792)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.90)
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