<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LANDAIR SERVICES, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                              26
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,014
<ALLOWANCES>                                       199
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                26,461
<PP&E>                                          95,163
<DEPRECIATION>                                  24,735
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  97,423
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           19,583
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            59
<OTHER-SE>                                      39,781
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    97,423
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               115,167
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  108,672
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   (26)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,288
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,233
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,616
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,617
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .43