(Fort Smith, Arkansas, April 25, 1997) -- The Board of Directors of Arkansas Best Corporation has declared to be paid for the second quarter of 1997, to holders of record of its $2.875 Series A Cumulative Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock (NASDAQ/NMS: "ABFSP") on May 5, 1997, a cash dividend of $.71875 per share payable May 15, 1997.

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