<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ARKANSAS
BEST CORPORATION QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000894405
<NAME> ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997
<CASH> 0
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 192,705
<ALLOWANCES> 5,368
<INVENTORY> 32,865
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 266,572
<PP&E> 560,975
<DEPRECIATION> 230,779
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 799,790
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 292,779
<BONDS> 283,104
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0
<PREFERRED> 15
<COMMON> 195
<OTHER-SE> 139,762
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 799,790
<SALES> 73,108
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 842,515
<CGS> 54,526
<TOTAL-COSTS> 816,211
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 2,036
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 14,234
<INCOME-PRETAX> 8,209
<INCOME-TAX> 3,518
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,691
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 4,691
<EPS-PRIMARY> .13
<EPS-DILUTED> .13