
<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
     <CIK>                    0000928658
     <NAME>                   COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC.
     <MULTIPLIER>             1,000
     <CURRENCY>               U.S. DOLLARS

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                        9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 JUL-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                          1
<CASH>                                                 661
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                       58,545
<ALLOWANCES>                                         1,060
<INVENTORY>                                          2,820
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    70,701
<PP&E>                                             292,333
<DEPRECIATION>                                      75,627
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     294,850
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               22,377
<BONDS>                                             84,804
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                               150
<OTHER-SE>                                         157,436
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       294,850
<SALES>                                                  0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   331,079
<CGS>                                                    0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      300,768
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   3,806
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     26,505
<INCOME-TAX>                                        10,622
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 15,883
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                        15,883
<EPS-BASIC>                                         1.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         1.06



</TABLE>
