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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950134-03-009357.txt : 20030620
<SEC-HEADER>0000950134-03-009357.hdr.sgml : 20030620
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030620145907
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950134-03-009357
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030620
ITEM INFORMATION:		Other events
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial statements and exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030620

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ARKANSAS BEST CORP /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000894405
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TRUCKING (NO LOCAL) [4213]
		IRS NUMBER:				710673405
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19969
		FILM NUMBER:		03751730

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3801 OLD GREENWOOD RD
		CITY:			FORT SMITH
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72903
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5017856000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 48
		CITY:			FORT SMITH
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72902
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d06907e8vk.txt
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
<PAGE>

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                           Washington, D.C. 20549-1004

                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT


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

 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 20, 2003 (June 20, 2003)


                            ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


        Delaware                      0-19969                   71-0673405
 ----------------------       ----------------------      ----------------------
    (State or other               (Commission                 (IRS Employer
    jurisdiction of               File Number)              Identification No.)
   incorporation or
     organization)


                             3801 Old Greenwood Road
                           Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903
                                 (479) 785-6000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                 the registrant's principal executive offices)


<PAGE>


ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS AND REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

On June 20, 2003, ABF Freight System, Inc. issued a press release announcing
that it is revising its general rates and charges on July 14, 2003. A copy of
the press release is attached as an exhibit to this Report on Form 8-K.

ITEM 7. EXHIBITS.

99.1     Press release of ABF Freight System, Inc. dated June 20, 2003.


<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

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


                            ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION

                                   (Registrant)

Date: June 20, 2003                /s/ David E. Loeffler
      ---------------              ---------------------------------------------
                                       David E. Loeffler,
                                       Vice President - Chief Financial Officer
                                       and Treasurer

<PAGE>


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


<Table>
<S>               <C>
99.1              Press release of ABF Freight System, Inc. dated June 20, 2003
</Table>


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>d06907exv99w1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE
<TEXT>
<PAGE>


                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1


                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

              ABF FREIGHT SYSTEM, INC.(R) REVISES ITS GENERAL RATES

(FORT SMITH, Arkansas, June 20, 2003) -- ABF Freight System, Inc.(R), announced
today that it is revising its general rates and charges on July 14, 2003. These
revisions will typically result in a 5.85% increase, although the amount will
vary by lane and shipment characteristic.

ABF Freight System is one of North America's largest and most experienced motor
carriers, with direct service to all 50 states, nine Canadian provinces and
Puerto Rico. In addition to its broad service to Mexico, the carrier offers
service to 250 ports in more than 130 countries worldwide. Via its TimeKeeper(R)
service, ABF provides guaranteed expedited service for time-critical and
time-definite shipments. The company's Web site, www.abf.com, is ranked among
the best 50 of all sites by CIO magazine and the top 10 Web sites by BtoB
magazine. ABF has been in continuous service since 1923 and is the largest
subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS).

Contact: Mr. Chris Baltz, director of marketing & public relations -- ABF
Freight System, Inc. -- Telephone: (479) 785-8803.


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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