<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ALLIED HOLDINGS, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          21,977
<SECURITIES>                                    23,323
<RECEIVABLES>                                  103,968
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      6,788
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               195,759
<PP&E>                                         297,530
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 621,627
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          145,730
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      62,853
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   621,627
<SALES>                                      1,026,799
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,026,799
<CGS>                                          988,919
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  988,919
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              26,146
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,004
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,527
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,477
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,477
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.08