<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, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                           4,298
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  167,670
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,385
<INVENTORY>                                     33,103
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               225,478
<PP&E>                                         581,947
<DEPRECIATION>                                 263,517
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 704,847
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          257,434
<BONDS>                                        190,168
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         15
<COMMON>                                           196
<OTHER-SE>                                     179,477
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   704,847
<SALES>                                         40,460
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               394,374
<CGS>                                           28,908
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  376,667
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   698
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,543
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,886
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,408
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,478
<DISCONTINUED>                                   (664)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,814
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .29