<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BUILDERS TRANSPORT INCORPORATED FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                              13
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   35,569
<ALLOWANCES>                                       539
<INVENTORY>                                      3,328
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                55,785
<PP&E>                                         318,094
<DEPRECIATION>                                 111,229
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 286,659
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           52,464
<BONDS>                                        170,912
<COMMON>                                        47,038
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   286,659
<SALES>                                        221,210
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               221,210
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  208,090
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,904
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,216
<INCOME-TAX>                                       882
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,334
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,334
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .42<F1>
<FN>
<F1>Fully diluted EPS is anti-dilutive.
</FN>