<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LANDAIR SERVICES, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH
31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                             538
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,927
<ALLOWANCES>                                       560
<INVENTORY>                                        620
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                28,809
<PP&E>                                         102,196
<DEPRECIATION>                                  29,637
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 101,982
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           23,165
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            60
<OTHER-SE>                                      41,975
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   101,982
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                41,005
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   39,083
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   (30)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 681
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,271
<INCOME-TAX>                                       500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                771
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       771
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .13