<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ARKANSAS
BEST CORPORATION QUARTERLY REPORT 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2000, AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<CIK> 0000894405
<NAME> ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                           4,473
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  197,335
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,085
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<PP&E>                                         670,267
<DEPRECIATION>                                 307,206
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 772,730
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          295,223
<BONDS>                                        164,224
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
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<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   772,730
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