SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                     Washington, D.C. 20549-1004 
                ------------------------------------

                              FORM 10-Q

                             (Mark One)
(X)  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
     SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1997

(  )  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
      SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                   Commission File Number 0-24960

                      Covenant Transport, Inc.
       (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

              Nevada                       88-0320154
   (State or other jurisdiction of      (I.R.S. employer
    incorporation or organization)     identification number)

                         400 Birmingham Hwy
                        Chattanooga, TN 37419
                           (423) 821-1212
         (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                including area code, of registrant's
                     principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the  preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period
that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has
been subject  to the filing requirements for at least the past 90 days.

                          YES  X   NO     

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date (September
30, 1997):

       Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value: 11,009,000 shares
       Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value: 2,350,000 shares






                                          Exhibit Index is on Page 14



                               PART I
                        FINANCIAL INFORMATION


                                                                PAGE
                                                               NUMBER

Item 1.  Financial statements

  Condensed consolidated balance sheets as of
    December 31, 1996 and September 30, 1997
    (unaudited). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            3

  Condensed consolidated statements of operations
    for the three and nine months ended
    September 30, 1996 and 1997 (unaudited). . . . . .            4

  Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows
  for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
  and 1997 (unaudited) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            5

  Notes to condensed consolidated financial
    statements (unaudited) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            6

Item 2.  Management's discussion and analysis
           of financial condition and results
           of operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            7



                               PART II
                          OTHER INFORMATION


                                                                PAGE
                                                               NUMBER

Item 1.                   Legal proceedings. . . . . .           14

Items 2., 3., 4., and 5.  Not applicable . . . . . . .           14

Item 6.                   Exhibits and reports on
                          Form 8-K . . . . . . . . . .           14



                                                            Page 2 of 15



              COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                           (in thousands)


                                          December 31,   September 30,
                 ASSETS                       1996          1997
                                         -------------- --------------
                                                         (unaudited)
                                                        
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents               $       3,492  $      2,666
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance                               
    of $500,000 in 1996 and $800,000                                  
    in 1997                                      29,956        33,793
  Drivers advances and other                                          
     receivables                                  3,231         1,494
  Tire and parts inventory                          880           852
  Prepaid expenses                                3,781         4,953
  Deferred income taxes                             248           259
                                         --------------- -------------
Total current assets                             41,587        44,017
Property and equipment, at cost                 183,136       206,891
Less accumulated depreciation                                         
  and amortization                               38,752        50,614
                                         --------------- -------------
Net property and equipment                      144,384       156,277
Other                                             1,177         3,781
                                         --------------- -------------
Total assets                              $     187,148  $    204,074
                                         =============== =============

             LIABILITIES AND                                          
          STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                        
Current liabilities:
  Current maturities of long-term debt    $          50  $        250
  Accounts payable                                3,892         3,599
  Accrued expenses                                4,480         9,598
                                         --------------- -------------
Total current liabilities                         8,422        13,447
Long-term debt, less current maturities          83,110        80,860
Deferred income taxes                            13,886        18,403
                                         --------------- -------------
Total liabilities                               105,418      112,710 
Stockholders' equity:                                    
  Class A common stock, $.01 par                                      
    value; 11,009,000 shares issued                                   
    and outstanding                                 110           110
  Class B common stock, $.01 par                                      
    value; 2,350,000 shares issued                                    
    and outstanding                                  23            23
  Additional paid-in capital                     50,470        50,615
  Retained earnings                              31,127        40,616
                                         --------------- -------------
Total stockholders' equity                       81,730        91,364
                                         =============== =============
Total liabilities and stockholders'       $     187,148  $    204,074
  equity
                                         ============================


   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed
consolidated financial statements.

                                                            Page 3 of 15



                COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
        UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
         THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 and 1997
                  (in thousands except per share data)


                               Three months ended      Nine months ended
                                 September 30,            September 30,
                                1996         1997        1996       1997
                             ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
                                                     
Revenue                       $  63,023  $   75,308  $  172,106  $ 207,956
Operating expenses:
  Salaries, wages, and           28,924      33,836      79,483     93,228
    related expenses
  Fuel, oil, and road            13,958      15,405      39,344     45,877
    expenses
  Revenue equipment rentals          79       1,802         400      3,335
    and purchased
    transportation
  Repairs                         1,254       1,615       3,268      4,186
  Operating taxes and             1,698       1,854       4,777      5,202
    licenses
  Insurance                       1,619       2,109       4,486      5,800
  General supplies and            3,300       3,992       9,394     11,545
    expenses
  Depreciation and                5,421       6,807      15,971     19,496
    amortization, including
    gain on disposition
    of equipment
                             ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
  Total operating expenses       56,253      67,420     157,123    188,669
                             ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
  Operating income                6,770       7,888      14,983     19,287
Interest expense                  1,582       1,384       4,443      4,228
                             ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
  Income before income            5,188       6,504      10,540     15,059
    taxes
Income tax expense                1,868       2,406       3,816      5,570
                             ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
  Net income                  $   3,320  $    4,098  $    6,724  $   9,489
                             =========== =========== =========== ==========
Earnings per share net        $    0.25  $     0.31  $     0.50  $    0.71
  income
                             =========== =========== =========== ==========
Weighed average shares           13,359      13,359      13,359     13,359
  outstanding
                             =========== =========== =========== ==========










     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed
consolidated financial statements.

                                                               Page 4 of 15



                COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
        UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
          FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 and 1997
                             (in thousands)



                                                       1996          1997
                                                   -----------  ------------
                                                          
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                                         $    6,724   $     9,489
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
  cash provided by operating activities:
  Provision for losses on receivables                     253           293
  Depreciation and amortization                        16,584        19,654
  Deferred income taxes                                 2,546         4,506
  Gain on disposition of property and                    (613)         (158)
    equipment
  Change in operating assets and liabilities
      Receivables and advances                          1,872        (2,980)
      Prepaid expenses                                 (1,619)       (1,172)
      Tire and parts inventory                            124            28
      Accounts payable and accrued                      2,650         4,825
      expenses
                                                   -----------  ------------
Net cash flows from operating activities               28,522        34,486
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Acquisition of property and equipment               (40,088)      (41,282)
  Acquisition of business - Goodwill                        -          (975)
  Acquisition of business - Covenant not                    -        (1,275)
    to compete
  Proceeds from disposition of property                 4,500        10,125
    and equipment
                                                   -----------  ------------
Net cash flows from investing activities              (35,588)      (33,407)
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Deferred debt issuance cost                            (132)            -
    Exercise of stock options                               -           146
    Net change in credit line                           9,960        (2,050)
                                                   -----------  ------------
Net cash flows from financing activities                9,828        (1,905)
                                                   -----------  ------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash                         2,761          (826)
Cash, beginning of period                                 461         3,492
                                                   ===========  ============
Cash, end of period                                $    3,222   $     2,666
                                                   ===========  ============








     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed
consolidated financial statements.

                                                               Page 5 of 15


                COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
          NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               (Unaudited)


Note 1.  Basis of Presentation

         The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
         Covenant  Transport,  Inc., a Nevada  holding  company,  and its wholly
         owned  subsidiaries  (the  "Company").   All  significant  intercompany
         balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

         The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared,   without  audit,  in
         accordance with generally accepted accounting  principles,  pursuant to
         the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In
         the  opinion  of  management,  the  accompanying  financial  statements
         include all adjustments  which are necessary for a fair presentation of
         the results for the interim periods  presented,  such adjustments being
         of  a  normal  recurring  nature.   Certain  information  and  footnote
         disclosures  have been condensed or omitted  pursuant to such rules and
         regulations. The December 31, 1996 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
         was derived from the audited  balance sheet of the Company for the year
         then ended. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial
         statements  and  notes  thereto  be  read  in   conjunction   with  the
         consolidated  financial  statements  and notes thereto  included in the
         Company's  Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1996.  Results of
         operations in interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results
         to be expected for a full year.

- ------------------------






                       FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

      This document contains forward-looking statements in paragraphs that
are marked with an asterisk.  Statements by the Company in press releases,
public filings, and stockholder reports, as well as oral public statements
by Company representatives, also may contain certain forward looking
information. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results  to  differ materially from
those projected.   Without limitation,  these risks and uncertainties
include economic factors such as recessions, downturns in customers'
business cycles, surplus inventories,  inflation,  fuel price increases,
and higher interest rates; the resale value of the Company's  used revenue
equipment; the availability and compensation of qualified drivers; and
competition from trucking, rail, and intermodal  competitors.  Readers
should review and consider the various  disclosures made by the Company in
its press releases, stockholder reports, and public filings, as well as
the factors explained in greater detail in the Company's annual report on
Form 10-K.


                                                               Page 6 of 15



               COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC.  AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
              FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth the percentage relationship of certain
items to revenue for the periods indicated:


                                       Three months            Nine months
                                          ended                   ended
                                      September 30,           September 30,
                                    1996         1997        1996        1997
                                  ---------    ---------   ---------   --------
                                                           
Revenue                             100.0%       100.0%      100.0%      100.0%
Operating expenses:
  Salaries, wages, and                                                      
    related expenses                 45.9         44.9        46.1        44.8
  Fuel, oil, and road                                                       
    expenses                         22.1         20.5        22.9        22.1
  Revenue equipment rentals                                                 
    and purchased                                                           
    transportation                    0.1          2.4         0.2         1.6
  Repairs                             2.0          2.1         1.9         2.0
  Operating taxes and                                                       
    licenses                          2.7          2.5         2.8         2.5
  Insurance                           2.5          2.8         2.6         2.8
  General supplies and                                                      
    expenses                          5.2          5.3         5.5         5.5
  Depreciation and                                                          
    amortization                      8.6          9.0         9.3         9.4
                                  ---------    ---------   ---------   ---------
        Total operating                                                     
          expenses                   89.3         89.5        91.3        90.7
                                  ---------    ---------   ---------   ---------
        Operating income             10.7         10.5         8.7         9.3
Interest expense                      2.5          1.9         2.6         2.0
                                  ---------    ---------   ---------   ---------
Income before income taxes            8.2          8.6         6.1         7.3
Provision for income taxes            2.9          3.2         2.2         2.7
                                  ---------    ---------   ---------   ---------
Net income                            5.3%         5.4%        3.9%        4.6%
                                  =========    =========   =========   =========


COMPARISON OF THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 TO THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

Revenue increased $12.3 million (19.5%) to $75.3 million in the 1997
period from $63.0 million in the 1996 period.  The revenue increase was
primarily generated by a 15.9% increase in weighted average tractors, to
1,808 during the 1997 period from 1,560 during the 1996 period, as the
Company expanded to meet demand from new customers and higher volume from
existing customers.  The Company's average revenue per loaded mile also
increased to approximately $1.13 during the 1997 period from $1.09 during
the 1996 period.  The increase was attributable to per-mile rate increases
negotiated by the Company.  Included in the revenue amounts were fuel
surcharges totaling  approximately $320,000 during the 1997 period and
$220,000 during the 1996 period.  The Company's  revenue per loaded mile
in the 1997 period net of the fuel surcharges was $1.125 in
the 1997 period and $1.088 in the 1996  period.  Average miles per tractor
decreased slightly to 38,850 in the 1997 period from 38,989 in the 1996
period.  Deadhead  was 5.1% of total miles in both the 1997 and 1996
periods.  Revenue per tractor increased approximately 3.0% in the 1997
period compared with the 1996 period.



                                                               Page 7 of 15


Salaries, wages, and related expenses increased $4.9 million (17.0%), to
$33.8 million in the 1997 period from $28.9 million in the 1996 period.
As a percentage of revenue,  salaries, wages, and related expenses
decreased to 44.9% of revenue in the 1997 period from 45.9% in the 1996
period.  Driver wages as a percentage of revenue increased slightly to
33.7% of revenue in the 1997 period from 33.6% in the 1996 period, as a
per mile pay increase to the drivers that was effective on May 15, 1997,
more than offset higher revenue per tractor.  Non-driving employee payroll
expense decreased to 5.0% of revenue in the 1997 period from 5.5% in the
1996 period as the Company improved its ratio of tractors to non-driver
employees.  Employee benefits, consisting primarily of health insurance,
workers' compensation costs, and employer paid taxes, decreased to 6.3% of
revenue in the 1997 period from 6.8% in the 1996 period as the Company did
not contract with the leasing company utilized during the 1996 period and
obtained  more  favorable rates for health insurance during the 1997
period.

Fuel, oil, and road expenses increased $1.4 million (7.4%), to $15.4
million in the 1997 period from $14.0  million in the 1996 period.  As a
percentage of revenue, fuel, oil, and road expenses decreased to 20.5% of
revenue in the 1997 period from 22.1% in the 1996 period primarily as a
result of lower per gallon fuel costs and surcharges with a greater
percentage of the Company's customers during the 1997 period.  Fuel
surcharges totaled $320,000 during the 1997 period and $220,000 in the
1996 period.

Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation increased $1.7
million, to $1.8 million in the 1997 period from $79,000 in the 1996
period.  As a percentage of revenue, revenue equipment rentals and
purchased transportation increased to 2.4% in the 1997 period from 0.1% in
the 1996 period as operating leases for revenue equipment were added in
1997 and the Company initiated the use of independent contractor
owner-operators of tractors after the 1996 period.

Repairs increased $361,000 (28.8%), to $1.6 million in the 1997 period
from $1.3 million in the 1996 period.  As a percentage of revenue, repairs
remained essentially constant at 2.1% in the 1997 period and 2.0% in the
1996  period.

Operating taxes and licenses increased $156,000 (9.2%), to $1.9 million in
the 1997 period from $1.7 million in the 1996 period.  As a percentage of
revenue, operating taxes and licenses decreased to 2.5% in 1997 from 2.7%
in the 1996 period.

Insurance increased $490,000 (30.3%), to $2.1 million in the 1997 period
from $1.6 million in the 1996 period. As a percentage of revenue,
insurance increased to 2.8% in the 1997 period from 2.5% in the 1996
period as a larger number of accidents resulted in additional deductibles
being paid.

General supplies and expenses, consisting primarily of driver recruiting,
communications, and facilities expenses, increased $692,000 (21.0%), to
$4.0 million in the 1997 period from $3.3 million in the 1996  period.  As
a percentage of revenue, general supplies and expenses increased to 5.3%
of revenue in the 1997 period from 5.2% in the 1996 period.  The 1997
increase is primarily due to higher facilities expenses related to the

                                                               Page 8 of 15


Company's new headquarters and terminal in Chattanooga, Tennessee and the
continuing rent payable on the former headquarters.

Depreciation and amortization, consisting primarily of depreciation of
revenue equipment, increased $1,386,000 (25.6%), to $6.8 million in the
1997 period from $5.4 million in the 1996 period.  As a percentage of
revenue, depreciation and amortization increased to 9.0% in the 1997
period from 8.6% in the 1996 period.  The increase as percentage of
revenue occurred due to a $400,000 gain on sale of equipment during the
1996 period, which offset depreciation more than the higher revenue per
tractor during the 1997 period.

As a result of the foregoing,  the Company's operating ratio was 89.5% in
the 1997 period and 89.3% for 1996.

Interest expense declined $198,000 (12.5%), to $1.4 million for the 1997
period from $1.6 million in the 1996  period.  Interest  expense decreased
to 1.9% of  revenue in the 1997 period from 2.5% in the 1996 period, due
to lower average debt balances ($83.7 million in the 1997 period compared
with $88.7 million in the 1996 period) as well as lower average  interest
rates (6.8% in the 1997 period compared with 7.3% in the 1996 period) and
higher revenue in 1997.

The  Company's effective tax rate was 37.0% in the 1997 period compared
with 36.0% in the 1996 period reflecting increased state income taxes in
the 1997 period.  The effective tax rate is expected to average
approximately 37.0% for the remainder of 1997. (*)

Primarily as a result of the factors described above, net income increased
to $4.1 million in the 1997 period (5.4% of revenue) from $3.3 million in
the 1996 period (5.3% of revenue).

COMPARISON OF NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 TO NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

Revenue increased $35.9 million (20.8%), to $208.0 million in the 1997
period from $172.1 million in the 1996 period.  The revenue increase was
primarily generated by a 19.3% increase in weighted average tractors, to
1,767 during the 1997 period from 1,481 during the 1996 period, as the
Company expanded to meet demand from new customers and higher volume from
existing customers.  The Company's average revenue per loaded mile also
increased to approximately $1.121 during the 1997 period from $1.089
during the 1996  period.  The increase was attributable to per-mile rate
increases negotiated by the Company and approximately $1.8 million in fuel
surcharge revenue during the 1997 period as compared to $806,000  during
the 1996 period.  The Company's revenue per loaded mile net of the fuel
surcharges was $1.111 in the 1997 period and $1.084 in the 1996 period.
Average miles per tractor decreased to 110,641 in the 1997 period from
112,732 in the 1996 period.  Deadhead improved to 5.2% of total miles in
the 1997 period from 5.3% in the 1996 period.  Revenue per tractor
increased 0.6% in the 1997 period compared with the 1996 period.

- --------
(*) May contain forward-looking statements.

                                                               Page 9 of 15




Salaries, wages, and related expenses increased $13.7 million (34.9%), to
$93.2 million in the 1997 period  from  $79.5 million in the 1996 period.
As a percentage of revenue,  salaries, wages, and related expenses
decreased to 44.8% of revenue in the 1997 period from 46.1% in the 1996
period.  Driver wages as a percentage of revenue decreased to 33.2% in the
1997 period from 33.5% in the 1996 period.  Non-driving employee payroll
expense decreased to 5.2% in the 1997 period from 5.3% in the 1996.
Employee benefits, consisting primarily of health insurance, workers'
compensation costs, and employer paid taxes, decreased to 6.5% of revenue
in the 1997 period from 7.4% in the 1996 period as the Company did not
contract with the leasing company utilized during the 1996 period and
obtained more favorable rates for health insurance during the 1997 period.

Fuel, oil, and road expenses increased $6.5 million (16.6%), to $45.9
million in the 1997 period from $39.3 million in the 1996 period.  As a
percentage of revenue, fuel, oil, and road expenses decreased to 22.1% of
revenue in the 1997 period from 22.9% in the 1996  period.  Fuel
surcharges  totaled  $1.8  million during the 1997 period and $806,000 in
the 1996 period.

Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation increased $2.9
million, to $3.3 million in the 1997 period from $400,000 in the 1996
period. As a percentage of revenue, revenue equipment rentals and
purchased transportation increased to 1.6% in the 1997 period from 0.2% in
the 1996 period as operating leases for revenue  equipment were added in
1997 and the Company initiated the use of independent contractor
owner-operators of tractors during the 1997 period.

Repairs increased $918,000 (28.1%), to $4.2 million in the 1997 period
from $3.3 million in the 1996  period.  As a percentage of  revenue,
repairs remained essentially constant at 2.0% of revenue in the 1997
period and 1.9% in the 1996 period.

Operating taxes and licenses increased $425,000 (8.9%), to $5.2 million in
the 1997 period from $4.8 million in the 1996 period.  As a percentage of
revenue, operating  taxes and licenses decreased to 2.5% in the 1997
period from 2.8% in the 1996 period.

Insurance increased $1.3 million (29.3%), to $5.8 million in the 1997
period from $4.5 million in the 1996 period. As a percentage of revenue,
insurance increased to 2.8% of revenue in the 1997 period from 2.6% in the
1996 period as a larger number of accidents resulted in additional
deductibles being paid.

General supplies and expenses, consisting primarily of driver recruiting,
communications expenses, and facilities expenses, increased $2.2 million
(22.9%), to $11.5 million in the 1997 period from $9.4 million in the 1996
period.  As a percentage of revenue, general supplies and expenses
remained constant at 5.5% in each period.

Depreciation and amortization, consisting primarily of depreciation of
revenue equipment, increased $3.5 million (22.1%), to $19.5 million in the
1997 period from $16.0 million in the 1996 period.  As a percentage of
revenue, depreciation and amortization remained essentially constant at
9.4% in the 1997 period and 9.3% in the 1996 period.  The use of operating
leases and independent contractors and slightly higher revenue per tractor

                                                              Page 10 of 15




during the 1997 period more than offset a larger gain on disposition of
revenue equipment during the 1996 period.

As a result of the foregoing, the Company's operating ratio was 90.7% in
the 1997 and 91.3% in the 1996 period.

Interest expense decreased $215,000 (4.8%), to $4.2 million in the 1997
period from $4.4 million in the 1996 period.  Interest  expense decreased
to 2.0% of revenue in the 1997 period from 2.6% in the 1996 period, as
higher average debt  balances  ($85.7 million in the 1997 period  compared
with $84.6 million in the 1996 period) were offset by lower average
interest rates (6.8% in the 1997 period compared with 7.1% in the 1996
period) and higher revenue in 1997.

The Company's effective tax rate was 37.0% in the 1997 period compared
with 36.2% in the 1996 period reflecting increased state income taxes in
the 1997 period.  The effective tax rate is expected to average
approximately 37.0% for the remainder of 1997. (*)

Primarily as a result of the factors described above, net income increased
to $9.5 million in the 1997 period (4.6% of revenue) from $6.7 million in
the 1996 period (3.9% of revenue).

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The growth of the Company's business has required significant investments
in new revenue equipment.  The Company historically has financed its
revenue equipment requirements with borrowings under a line of credit,
senior notes, cash flows from operations, and operating leases.  The
Company's primary sources of liquidity at September 30, 1997, were funds
provided by operations, borrowings under its credit agreement, funds
provided from its $25 million in senior notes, and an operating lease
covering its new headquarters and terminal facility.  The Company's use of
owner-operator providers of tractors also permits the Company to expand
with lower capital expenditure than purchasing all of its tractors.
Management believes that the Company's sources of liquidity are adequate
to meet currently anticipated working capital, capital expenditure, and
other needs. (*)

The Company's primary source of cash flow from operations is net income
increased by depreciation and deferred income taxes.  Historically,
financing increases in receivables and advances associated with the
Company's  revenue growth has been a significant use of cash provided by
operations.  In the 1996 period, however, receivables and advances
decreased due to collection of an "other receivable" and rectifying an
accounts receivable imbalance caused during conversion to a new computer
billing system  that had occurred at the end of 1995, which resulted in
$1.9 million in operating cash flows.  Management  believes that cash
flows in the 1997 period are more representative of a normalized  period.
Net cash provided by operating  activities was $34.5 million in the 1997
period and $28.5 million in the 1996 period. (**)
- --------
(*) May contain forward-looking statements.
(**) May contain forward-looking statements.

                                                              Page 11 of 15


Net cash used in investing activities was $33.4 million in the 1997 period
and $35.6 million in the 1996 period.  These investments were primarily to
acquire additional revenue equipment as the Company expanded its
operations.  Approximately $2.3 million represented the purchase price for
the customer list and business of a truckload carrier acquired in August
1997.  All of the purchase price was allocated to covenants-not-to-compete
and goodwill.   The Company expects to expend an additional $14.0 million
on capital expenditures during 1997, including $5.2 million for the
purchase of all of the stock of Bud Meyer Truck Lines, Inc., a $45 million
annual revenue (1996) truckload carrier acquired in October 1997 and
approximately $7.0 million on new revenue equipment, net of dispositions.
(*)

Net cash provided by financing activities of $1.9 million in the 1997
period and $9.8  million in the 1996 period.  The cash provided was
related to borrowings under a credit agreement in each period.

At September 30, 1997, the Company had outstanding debt of $81.1 million,
substantially all of which related to draws under its credit agreement and
$25 million in senior notes. Interest rates on this debt ranged from 6.2%
to 7.4% at September 30,  1997.

The Company's credit agreement has a term of five years and a maximum
borrowing limit of $85 million.  At September 30, 1997, $55 million was
drawn under the Company's credit agreement.  The credit agreement is with
a syndicate of banks and provides for  outstanding borrowings to bear
interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus an applicable
margin between 0.375% and 1.0%.  For the quarter ended September 30, 1997,
the applicable margin was 0.50%.  During February 1997, the Company
entered into an interest rate swap agreement that  fixed interest rates
for two years on $25 million of the borrowings under the credit agreement
at 6.1% plus the applicable margin, and during October 1997, the Company
entered into an interest rate swap agreement that fixed interest rates for
two years on $10 million of the borrowings under the credit agreement at
6.0% plus the applicable margin. All remaining borrowings under the credit
agreement are at one, two, or three month LIBOR plus the applicable
margin.  The Company is presently negotiating an increase in the facility
to $100 million to provide for future needs. (*)

The Company also has outstanding $25 million in senior notes due October
2005 that were placed with an insurance company.  The notes bear interest
at 7.4%, payable semi-annually.  Principal payments are due in equal
annual installments beginning in October 2001.

In December 1996, the Company took possession of its new headquarters and
terminal facility.   The facility was constructed under a "build-to-suit"
operating lease and is expected to increase the Company's annual
facilities costs by approximately $750,000.

The credit agreement, senior notes, and headquarters and terminal lease
agreement contain certain restrictions and covenants relating to, among
other things, dividends, tangible net worth, cash flow, acquisitions and
dispositions, and total indebtedness.  All of these agreements are
cross-defaulted.  The Company was in compliance with the agreements at
September 30, 1997.


                                                              Page 12 of 15


                COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                        PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.     Legal Proceedings

            No reportable events or material changes occurred during
            the quarter for which this report is filed.

Items 2, 3, 
4 and 5.    Not applicable

Item 6.     Exhibits and reports on Form 8-K.
            (a) Exhibits

Exhibit
Number      Description
10.3**      Credit Agreement dated January 17, 1995, among Covenant
            Transport, Inc., a Tennessee corporation, ABN-AMRO Bank
            N.V., as agent, and certain other banks, filed as
            Exhibit 10 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter
            ended March 31, 1995, and incorporated herein by
            reference.
10.4*       Lease dated January 1, 1990, between David R. and
            Jacqueline F. Parker and Covenant Transport, Inc, a
            Tennessee corporation, with respect to the Chattanooga,
            Tennessee headquarters, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the
            Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1,
            Registration No. 33-82978, effective October 28, 1994,
            and incorporated herein by reference.
10.5*       Lease dated June 1, 1994, between David R. and Jacqueline
            F. Parker and Covenant Transport, Inc, a Tennessee
            corporation, with respect to terminal facility in Greer,
            South Carolina, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's
            Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration
            No. 33-82978, effective October 28, 1994, and
            incorporated herein by reference.
10.8*       Incentive Stock Plan.
10.9*       401(k) Plan.
10.12***    Note Purchase Agreement dated October 15, 1995, among
            Covenant Transport, Inc, a Tennessee corporation and
            CIG & Co.
10.13***    First Amendment to Credit Agreement and Waiver dated
            October 15, 1995.
10.14****   Participation Agreement dated March 29, 1996, among
            Covenant Transport, Inc, a Tennessee corporation, Lease
            Plan USA, Inc., and ABN-AMRO Bank, N.V., Atlanta Agency.
10.15****   Second Amendment to Credit Agreement and Waiver dated
            April 12, 1996.
10.16****   First Amendment to Note Purchase Agreement and Waiver
            dated April 1, 1996.
10.17*****  Third Amendment to Credit Agreement and Waiver dated
            March 31, 1997.
10.18*****  Waiver to Note Purchase Agreement dated March 31, 1997.
11+         Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings.
27+         Financial data schedule (not included in paper filing).


                                                              Page 13 of 15



- ------------------------


+           Filed herewith.
*           Filed as an exhibit to the registrant's Registration
            Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-82978,
            effective October 28, 1994, and incorporated herein
            by reference.
**          Filed as an exhibit to the registrant's Form 10-Q for the
            quarter ended March 31, 1995, and incorporated herein by
            reference.
***         Filed as an exhibit to the registrant's Form 10-K for the
            year ended December 31, 1995, and incorporated herein by
            reference.
****        Filed as an exhibit to the registrant's Form 10-Q for the
            quarter ended March 31, 1996, and incorporated herein by
            reference.
*****       Filed as an exhibit to the registrant's Form 10-Q for the
            quarter ended March 31, 1997, and incorporated herein by
            reference.

            (b)  No reports on Form 8-K have been filed during the
                 quarter for which this report is filed.


                                SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                      COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC.


Date:  November  14, 1997             /s/ David R. Parker               
                                      David R. Parker
                                      Chairman, President, and
                                      Chief Executive Officer


                                                              Page 14 of 14