<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, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                           4,374
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  194,049
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,646
<INVENTORY>                                     32,161
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               242,416
<PP&E>                                         618,850
<DEPRECIATION>                                 277,701
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 732,830
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          279,366
<BONDS>                                        202,370
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         15
<COMMON>                                           197
<OTHER-SE>                                     205,216
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   732,830
<SALES>                                        139,893
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,266,130
<CGS>                                           97,992
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,190,263
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,831
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,232
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 59,427
<INCOME-TAX>                                    24,776
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             34,651
<DISCONTINUED>                                   (664)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    33,987
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.43