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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Aw5i1T7EUndIKwJlnAZThqyGxzFOaLdNkU5QW0RyjDNS2TJ3HZKm9GKyHamGRgDQ
 ibNGgDupmeHhykI5kcBKag==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001008886-03-000099.txt : 20030527
<SEC-HEADER>0001008886-03-000099.hdr.sgml : 20030526
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030523174210
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001008886-03-000099
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030522
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030527

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TOWE RICHARD L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001229383

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-24960
		FILM NUMBER:		03718866

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 BIRMINGHAM HIGHWAY
		CITY:			CHATTANOOGA
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37419
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8005320341

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COVENANT TRANSPORT INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000928658
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TRUCKING (NO LOCAL) [4213]
		IRS NUMBER:				880320154
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 BIRMINGHAM HIGHWAY
		CITY:			CHATTANOOGA
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37419
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4238211212

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 BIRMINGHAM HIGHWAY
		CITY:			CHATTANOOGA
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37419
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>toweform4_ex.xml
<DESCRIPTION>TOWE FORM 4 MAY 2003
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   04/22/03  TZ    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-05-22</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000928658</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COVENANT TRANSPORT INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CVTI</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
      <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001229383</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TOWE RICHARD L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>0</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
         <officerTitle>Senior VP-Driver Services</officerTitle>
       </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
   <derivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Employee Stock Option (Right-To-Buy) Class A Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>17.63</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2003-05-22</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>7500</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionValue>
           <value>0.00</value>
         </transactionValue>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
         <value>2004-05-22</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2013-05-22</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>7500</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>7500</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeSecurity>
   <footnotes>
<footnote id="F1"> The option to purchase 7,500 shares of Class A Common Stock is exercisable between May 22, 2004, and May 22, 2006, at the rate of one-third per year.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>/s/ Richard L. Towe, by Heidi Hornung-Scherr, attorney-in-fact, pursuant to a POA previously filed with the SEC</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-05-23</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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