<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ARKANSAS
BEST CORPORATION QUARTERLY REPORT 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           6,839
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  210,962
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,928
<INVENTORY>                                     30,458
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               267,179
<PP&E>                                         699,010
<DEPRECIATION>                                 316,375
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 805,538
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          309,252
<BONDS>                                        157,041
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         14
<COMMON>                                           199
<OTHER-SE>                                     269,501
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   805,538
<SALES>                                        140,266
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,403,470
<CGS>                                           94,629
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,297,703
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,496
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,007
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 92,414
<INCOME-TAX>                                    38,168
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             54,246
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    54,246
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.27