<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BOYD BROS. TRANSPORTATION INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                       1,361,664
<SECURITIES>                                   250,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               18,351,465
<ALLOWANCES>                                   272,000
<INVENTORY>                                    263,943
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            19,819,481
<PP&E>                                      76,956,516
<DEPRECIATION>                              28,265,861
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              77,047,426
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       15,458,719
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,070
<OTHER-SE>                                  32,857,637
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                77,047,426
<SALES>                                    118,423,424
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           118,423,424
<CGS>                                      110,796,543
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              110,796,543
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (179,360)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,607,482
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              5,898,759
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,326,021
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          3,572,738
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 3,572,738
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .87
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .87