<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EAGLE USA AIRFREIGHT, INC. FOR THE
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN FORM 10-K
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          25,107
<SECURITIES>                                     2,679
<RECEIVABLES>                                   55,228
<ALLOWANCES>                                       566
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                87,005
<PP&E>                                          18,663
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,573
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 106,871
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           26,367
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            18
<OTHER-SE>                                      80,486
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   106,871
<SALES>                                        291,767
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               291,767
<CGS>                                          163,616
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  163,616
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               102,452
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 27,392
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,594
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,798
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,798
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.90
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0