<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF CAROLINA FREIGHT CORPORATION FOR THE 9 MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 10, 1994, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-10-1994
<CASH>                                          32,081
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   69,911
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,612
<INVENTORY>                                      2,778
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               144,680
<PP&E>                                         510,475
<DEPRECIATION>                                 275,131
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 393,359
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          153,758
<BONDS>                                         69,212
<COMMON>                                         3,281
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      2,211
<OTHER-SE>                                     122,631
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   393,359
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               659,173
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  637,576
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,950
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,795
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,827
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,095
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,732
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                      (1,222)
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,510
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .98
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .98