<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FORM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ALLIED HOLDINGS, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          10,530
<SECURITIES>                                    19,540
<RECEIVABLES>                                   74,881
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      5,391
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               149,673
<PP&E>                                         286,214
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 558,939
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          157,679
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      57,328
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   558,939
<SALES>                                        581,530
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               581,530
<CGS>                                          563,751
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  563,751
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,095
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,552
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,150
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,402
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,402
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .31