<ARTICLE>             5
<LEGEND>

    This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
condensed consolidated balance sheet of Celadon Group, Inc. at December 31, 1997
and the condensed consolidated statement of operations of Celadon Group, Inc.
for the quarter then ended and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.

</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                       1,000
       
                                                
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                 DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             1,435
<SECURITIES>                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     27,850
<ALLOWANCES>                                         551
<INVENTORY>                                            0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  45,332
<PP&E>                                           125,472
<DEPRECIATION>                                  (33,490)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   151,563
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             34,226
<BONDS>                                           74,752
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                            0
<COMMON>                                             257
<OTHER-SE>                                        48,674
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     151,563
<SALES>                                                0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  56,836
<CGS>                                                  0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     53,265
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                       2
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 1,141
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    2,428
<INCOME-TAX>                                         915
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                1,513
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                       1,513
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       0.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       0.20