EXHIBIT 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the filing of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2003, (the "Report") by Arkansas Best Corporation
("Registrant"), each of the undersigned hereby certifies that:

         1    The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a)
              or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and

         2.   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
              material respects, the financial condition and results of
              operations of the Registrant.

                               ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
                                     (Registrant)

Date: October 31, 2003         /s/ Robert A. Young III
                               ---------------------------------------------
                               Robert A. Young III
                               President & Chief Executive Officer

                               ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
                                    (Registrant)

Date: October 31, 2003         /s/ David E. Loeffler
                               ---------------------------------------------
                               David E. Loeffler
                               Vice President-Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer
                               and Principal Accounting Officer