<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Arkansas
Best Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the nine months ended
September 30, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           4,405
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  187,600
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,603
<INVENTORY>                                     31,509
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               249,478
<PP&E>                                         565,835
<DEPRECIATION>                                 247,046
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 732,255
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          266,149
<BONDS>                                        224,956
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         15
<COMMON>                                           196
<OTHER-SE>                                     164,946
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   732,255
<SALES>                                        135,044
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,236,290
<CGS>                                           95,813
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,186,923
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,899
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,636
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 32,393
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,281
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,112
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,112
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .80