<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EAGLE USA AIRFREIGHT, INC. FOR THE YEAR
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
(B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001001718
<NAME> EAGLE USA AIRFREIGHT, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          26,696
<SECURITIES>                                     3,409
<RECEIVABLES>                                   30,742
<ALLOWANCES>                                       363
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                62,774
<PP&E>                                          11,013
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,680
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  71,729
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           21,287
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                            17
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      50,425
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    71,729
<SALES>                                        185,445
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               185,445
<CGS>                                          103,312
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  103,312
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                64,284
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 145
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,783
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,357
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,426
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,426<F1>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>Excludes pro forma charge in lieu of income taxes of $945. See Note 4 to
financial statements.
<F2>Not meaningful. See Note 1 to financial statements for pro forma net income per
share.
</FN>