<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ALLIED HOLDINGS, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH
31, 1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           4,452
<SECURITIES>                                    22,255
<RECEIVABLES>                                   86,986
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      5,977
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               161,000
<PP&E>                                         280,763
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 576,664
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          157,447
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      58,452
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   576,664
<SALES>                                        253,390
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               253,390
<CGS>                                          246,603
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  246,603
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,022
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,221
<INCOME-TAX>                                       531
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                690
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       690
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .09