<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ARKANSAS
BEST CORPORATION QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH
31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000894405
<NAME> ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         (4,018)
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  167,509
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,568
<INVENTORY>                                     31,195
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               218,127
<PP&E>                                         522,258
<DEPRECIATION>                                 231,491
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 683,163
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          251,884
<BONDS>                                        200,424
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         15
<COMMON>                                           196
<OTHER-SE>                                     151,601
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   683,163
<SALES>                                         37,067
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               387,907
<CGS>                                           26,666
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  376,671
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   893
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,468
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,238
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,620
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,618
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,618
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .13