<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS  AS OF  SEPTEMBER  30,  1998  AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY  BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 863557
<NAME> SWIFT TRANSPORTATION CO., INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           4,308
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  112,306
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      2,975
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               142,211
<PP&E>                                         542,081
<DEPRECIATION>                                 125,339
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 568,961
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           89,582
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            43
<OTHER-SE>                                     305,688
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   568,961
<SALES>                                        634,624
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               634,624
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  565,293
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (696)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,320
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 65,707
<INCOME-TAX>                                    26,615
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             39,092
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,092
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .92
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .90