<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORWARD
AIR CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED) AS OF SEPTEMBER
30, 2000 AND THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) FOR THE
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          15,355
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   30,600
<ALLOWANCES>                                       990
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                50,537
<PP&E>                                          60,903
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,872
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 103,253
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           18,766
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           212
<OTHER-SE>                                      75,352
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   103,253
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               157,168
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  130,273
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (498)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 107
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 27,286
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,434
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,852
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,852
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .76