<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL IFNORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATMENTS OF ALLIED HOLDINGS, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997 <CASH> 4,409 <SECURITIES> 8,821 <RECEIVABLES> 28,325 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 4,215 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 60,024 <PP&E> 126,364 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 228,694 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 58,591 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 60,157 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 228,694 <SALES> 208,969 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 208,969 <CGS> 197,519 <TOTAL-COSTS> 197,519 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,408 <INCOME-PRETAX> 6,399 <INCOME-TAX> 2,688 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,711 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,711 <EPS-PRIMARY> .48 <EPS-DILUTED> .48