<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ARKANSAS
BEST CORPORATION QUARTERLY REPORT 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2000, AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                           4,232
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  189,333<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,293
<INVENTORY>                                     32,817
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               245,852
<PP&E>                                         640,362<F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                                 297,035
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 747,698
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          279,118
<BONDS>                                        173,457<F3>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         15
<COMMON>                                           198
<OTHER-SE>                                     233,047
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   747,698
<SALES>                                         40,771
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               443,015
<CGS>                                           27,904
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  416,734
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   879<F4>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,521
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 22,555
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,383
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,172
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,172
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.55
<FN>
<F1>TRADE-NET
<F2>GROSS
<F3>L-T
<F4>A/R
</FN>