<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PST VANS,
INC. SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                       4,090,011
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               17,216,624
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,124,896
<INVENTORY>                                    655,502
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            25,796,354
<PP&E>                                      81,944,255
<DEPRECIATION>                              20,236,471
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              96,498,622
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       27,520,674
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,217
<OTHER-SE>                                  24,833,507
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                96,498,622
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           110,961,630
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              110,025,644
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             (114,638)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,845,904
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (2,795,280)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (2,795,280)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (2,795,280)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.66)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.66)