Exhibit 23



                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Smithway Motor Xpress Corp.


We consent to  incorporation  by reference in the  Registration  Statements (No.
333-10249,  333-10251, and 333-21253) on Form S-8 of Smithway Motor Xpress Corp.
of our report  dated  February 14, 1997,  relating to the  consolidated  balance
sheets of Smithway Motor Xpress Corp. and subsidiary as of December 31, 1996 and
1995, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, non-redeemable common
stockholders'  equity,  and cash  flows for each of the years in the  three-year
period ended  December 31, 1996,  which report  appears in the December 31, 1996
Annual Report on Form 10-K of Smithway Motor Xpress Corp.


                                               /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                               --------------------------------
                                               KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Des Moines, Iowa
March 27, 1997