<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF CAROLINA FREIGHT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1994
<CASH>                                           4,710
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   86,798
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,683
<INVENTORY>                                      2,882
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               114,841
<PP&E>                                         507,079
<DEPRECIATION>                                 275,145
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 370,314
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          120,923
<BONDS>                                         68,277
<COMMON>                                         3,281
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      2,211
<OTHER-SE>                                     122,854
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   370,314
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               935,940
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  909,732
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,985
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,232
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,828
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,828
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                       (1,222)
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,778
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.02