EXHIBIT 23



                        Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K)
of American Freightways Corporation and Subsidiary of our report dated January
18, 1996, included in the 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders of American
Freightways Corporation.

Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of American
Freightways Corporation and Subsidiary listed in Item 14(a).  This schedule is
the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to
express an opinion based on our audits.  In our opinion, the financial statement
schedule referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial
statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the
information set forth therein.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
(Form S-8 No. 33-63674) pertaining to the American Freightways Corporation Stock
Option Plan and in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-76788) pertaining
to the American Freightways Stock Purchase Plan of our report dated January 18,
1996, with respect to the consolidated financial statements incorporated herein
by reference, and our report included in the preceding paragraph with respect to
the financial statement schedule included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of
American Freightways Corporation and Subsidiary.


                                     ERNST & YOUNG LLP



Little Rock, Arkansas
February 9, 1996