<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS OF FROZEN FOOD EXPRESS INDUSTRIES, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1999, AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME,
CASH FLOWS AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           1,613
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   60,704
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,392
<INVENTORY>                                     17,719
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                80,947
<PP&E>                                         119,424
<DEPRECIATION>                                  45,784
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 170,083
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           68,893
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        25,921
<OTHER-SE>                                      57,200
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   170,083
<SALES>                                         61,247
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               372,149
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  387,384
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,019
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 5,296
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,019
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (19,254)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (7,124)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (12,130)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (12,130)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.74)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.74)