UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549-1004

                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT


     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
                       January 28, 2003 (January 21, 2003)



                            ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


    Delaware                      0-19969                    71-0673405
- --------------------         -----------------        -----------------------
  (State or other               (Commission                (IRS Employer
  jurisdiction of               File Number)             Identification No.)
 incorporation or
   organization)


                             3801 OLD GREENWOOD ROAD
                           Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903
                                 (479) 785-6000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                  the registrant's principal executive offices)






ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.

On January 21, 2003, Arkansas Best Corporation issued a press release announcing
its fourth quarter and full year 2002 results. A copy of the press release is
attached as an exhibit to this Report on Form 8-K.


ITEM 7. EXHIBITS.

99.1 Press release of Arkansas Best Corporation dated January 21, 2003.


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                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                            ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION

                                  (Registrant)

Date:  January 28, 2003                /s/   David E. Loeffler
       -----------------------         -----------------------------------------
                                           David E. Loeffler,
                                           Vice President - Chief Financial
                                            Officer and Treasurer


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                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

<Table>
<Caption>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                      DESCRIPTION
- -------                     -----------
           
99.1          Press release of Arkansas Best Corporation dated January 21, 2003.
</Table>