<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A)
THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EAGLE USA AIRFREIGHT, INC. FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          32,538
<SECURITIES>                                    12,891
<RECEIVABLES>                                   80,266
<ALLOWANCES>                                       773
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               127,409
<PP&E>                                          32,762
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,362
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 161,697
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           40,271
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            19
<OTHER-SE>                                     121,407
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   161,697
<SALES>                                        144,876
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               144,876
<CGS>                                           81,553
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   81,553
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                51,153
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,702
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,954
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,748
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,748
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.40