<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, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN FORM 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          37,191
<SECURITIES>                                    12,487
<RECEIVABLES>                                   70,251
<ALLOWANCES>                                       675
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               123,159
<PP&E>                                          30,177
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,214
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 156,336
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           37,290
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            19
<OTHER-SE>                                     119,027
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   156,336
<SALES>                                        417,083
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               417,083
<CGS>                                          233,257
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  233,257
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               151,606
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 33,996
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,964
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,032
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,032
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.09