<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)