<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FORWARD AIR CORPORATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH
31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                             117
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,586
<ALLOWANCES>                                       986
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                24,840
<PP&E>                                          41,979
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,252
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  59,024
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           17,754
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           127
<OTHER-SE>                                      22,539
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    59,024
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                37,728
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   32,253
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   (32)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 446
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,061
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,961
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,100
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,100
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .24