<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MORAN
TRANSPORTATION COMPANY'S UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          11,456
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,902
<ALLOWANCES>                                       541
<INVENTORY>                                      4,378
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                30,831
<PP&E>                                         114,524
<DEPRECIATION>                                  28,848
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 154,832
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           11,674
<BONDS>                                         80,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            1,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                      14,261
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   154,832
<SALES>                                         75,948
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                75,948
<CGS>                                           48,280
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   64,994
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,512
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,046
<INCOME-TAX>                                       810
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                         0
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    48.61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0