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THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FORWARD AIR CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

1,000 U.S. DOLLARS YEAR DEC-31-1996 JAN-01-1996 DEC-31-1996 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80,737 0 72,221 (2) 0 743 7,775 2,891 4,884 (905) 0 0 3,979 .34 .33