<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EAGLE USA AIRFREIGHT INC. FOR THE
PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FORM 10-Q REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          21,571
<SECURITIES>                                     7,362
<RECEIVABLES>                                   39,195
<ALLOWANCES>                                       882
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                68,776
<PP&E>                                          12,961
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,003
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  79,369
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           23,518
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            18
<OTHER-SE>                                      55,833
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    79,369
<SALES>                                         67,586
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                67,586
<CGS>                                           38,071
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   38,071
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                22,317
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,471
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,957
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,514
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,514
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.24