Back to GetFilings.com




1
================================================================================
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 1996 Commission No. 0-27288

EAGLE USA AIRFREIGHT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

TEXAS 76-0094895
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

3214 LODESTAR
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77032
(Principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (281)-821-0300

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $.001 par value
(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES x NO
--- ---

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to
this Form 10-K.
-----

At November 29, 1996, the aggregate market value of the registrant's Common
Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $137,509,864
based on the closing price of such stock on such date of $26.25.

At November 29, 1996, the number of shares outstanding of registrant's Common
Stock was 17,539,521.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the definitive proxy statement for the Registrant's 1997 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders to be held on February 21, 1997 are incorporated by
reference in Part III of this Form 10-K. Such definitive proxy statement will be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days
subsequent to September 30, 1996.

================================================================================
2




TABLE OF CONTENTS





PART I
Page

Item 1. Business........................................................... 1
Item 2. Properties......................................................... 7
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.................................................. 9
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders................ 9


PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Shareholder
Matters............................................................ 9
Item 6. Selected Financial Data............................................ 10
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations.......................................... 11
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data........................ 15
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure........................................... 15


PART III


Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant................. 16
Item 11. Executive Compensation............................................. 16
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management..... 16
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions............... 16


PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.... 16
Signatures.................................................................. 18

3
PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Eagle USA Airfreight, Inc. ("Eagle" and together with its
subsidiaries, the "Company") is engaged in the business of providing air
freight forwarding and other transportation and logistics services.
Historically, the Company has grown through the expansion of its domestic air
freight forwarding customer base and terminal network. In the past two fiscal
years, the Company has rapidly expanded its terminal network from 27 in
September 1994 to 47 in September 1996. As the Company has expanded nationwide,
it has broadened the services it provides to include local pick-up and delivery
and truck brokerage services as well as various "value added" logistics
services. Recently, the Company has begun expanding its international air
freight forwarding operations and establishing arrangements with cargo agents
in international locations. The Company believes that its growth has been
largely attributable to its ability to work closely with its customers to
provide customized freight shipping services on a price competitive basis. As
of November 30, 1996, the Company conducts its air freight forwarding through
50 terminals, located at or near airports throughout the United States.

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

Companies requiring some form of expedited or time-definite handling
generally have two principal alternatives to transport freight: they may use an
air freight forwarder or ship via a fully integrated carrier. Air freight
forwarders arrange for transportation, often tailoring the routing of each
shipment to meet the price and service requirements of the customer. Fully
integrated carriers provide pick-up and delivery service, primarily through
their own captive fleets of trucks and aircraft. Since air freight forwarders
select from various transportation options in routing customer shipments, they
are often able to serve their customers less expensively and with greater
flexibility than integrated carriers. In addition to the high fixed expenses
associated with owning, operating and maintaining fleets of aircraft, trucks
and related equipment, integrated carriers often have significant restrictions
on delivery schedules and shipment weight, size and type. Air freight
forwarders, however, generally handle shipments of any size and can offer
customized shipping options, thus offering an effective alternative for
shippers of freight.

Most air freight forwarders, like the Company, focus on the shipment
of heavy cargo and do not directly compete for the majority of their business
with integrated shippers of primarily small parcels such as Federal Express
Corporation, United Parcel Service of America, Inc., Airborne Freight
Corporation, DHL Worldwide Express, Inc. and the United States Postal Service,
certain of which on occasion serve as a source of cargo space to forwarders.
However, certain integrated carriers, such as Emery Air Freight Corporation and
Burlington Air Express, Inc., focus on shipment of heavy cargo in competition
with forwarders. Additionally, most air freight forwarders do not generally
compete with the major commercial airlines, which to a certain extent depend on
forwarders to procure shipments and supply freight to fill cargo space on their
scheduled flights.

The domestic air freight forwarding industry is highly fragmented.
Many of these firms are capable of meeting only a portion of their customers'
required transportation service needs. Some national domestic air freight
forwarders rely on networks of terminals operated by franchisees or agents. The
Company believes that the development and operation of Company-owned terminals
and staff under the supervision of the Company's management have enabled it to
provide a higher degree of financial and operational control and service
assurance than that offered by franchise-based networks.

DOMESTIC AIR FREIGHT FORWARDING SERVICES

The Company's freight forwarding operations involve obtaining shipment
orders from customers, determining the best means to transport the shipment to
its destination and arranging and monitoring all aspects of the shipment.
Typically, the transportation is provided by a commercial air carrier. In
addition, the Company prepares all required shipping documents and delivers
shipments to the transporting carrier. For much of its customer traffic, the
Company makes arrangements for three separate transportation segments--pick-up
from the shipper to the Company's terminal in the origin city, shipment via air
or overland carrier and delivery from the Company's terminal in the destination
city to the recipient. Local transportation services are performed either by
independent cartage companies or, increasingly, by the Company's Eagle Freight
Services subsidiary as described below under "--Local Delivery Services." If
delivery schedules permit, the Company will typically use lower-cost, overland
truck transportation services, including those obtained through its truck
brokerage operations. As part of its routine services, the Company also
provides handling, packing and containerizing services, arranges for the
tracking of shipments, provides physical breakbulk and arranges for insurance.


1


4

The Company neither owns nor operates any aircraft and, consequently,
places no restrictions on delivery schedules or shipment size. It arranges for
transportation of its customers' shipments via commercial airlines and, to a
lesser extent, air cargo carriers. Most of the Company's shipments can be
accommodated by either narrow-body or wide-body aircraft. The Company selects
the carrier for a shipment on the basis of route, departure time, available
cargo capacity and cost. The Company has recently begun a regularly-scheduled
dedicated charter of one cargo airplane to service a specific transportation
lane. On occasion, the Company charters cargo aircraft for use in other
transportation lanes, as needed.

Due to the high volume of freight controlled by the Company, it is
able to obtain discounted rates from airlines and is often able to reserve
space at times when available space is limited. As a result, the Company can
provide shipment options not directly available to its customers. Occasionally,
the Company is able to consolidate shipments to further reduce its costs of
transportation. The Company's rate schedule generally offers increasing
discounts for shipment options with later scheduled delivery times. The
Company's rates are also based on shipment weight and generally decrease as the
weight of the shipment increases.

The Company offers its customers five major delivery schedule options:
(i) next flight out-immediate pick-up and placement of the shipment on the next
available flight; (ii) next day AM priority - shipments that take precedence
for delivery by the morning of the following day; (iii) next day PM - shipments
delivered by the afternoon of the following day; (iv) second day - shipments
delivered by the afternoon of the second following day; and (v) economy -
shipments typically delivered by the afternoon of the third - fifth day after
shipment. The Company draws on its logistics expertise to provide forwarding
services that are customized to meet the needs of the customer and, in addition
to regularly scheduled service, offers customized schedules to do so. In
addition, the Company's services are customized to address each client's
individual shipping requirements, without restrictions on shipment weight, size
or type. Once the requirements for an individual shipment have been
established, the Company proactively manages the execution of the shipment to
ensure the fulfillment of the customer's service requirements.

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, the Company's
principal forwarding customers included shippers of computers and other
electronic and high-technology equipment, printed materials and publishing,
automotive parts, trade show exhibit materials, telecommunications equipment,
machinery and machine parts and apparel. Shipments that are relatively less
time-sensitive or for which expedited delivery is not economical are often
shipped second day or economy. These options enhance the Company's opportunity
to achieve savings by the use of truck transportation, the consolidation of
shipments and the increased air cargo options afforded by the additional time
for shipment. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, average shipment
weight was approximately 576 pounds, ranging in size from small packages of
documents to 37,000 pound deliveries of printed material. Although the Company
imposes no size or weight restrictions on shipments it focuses on shipments of
over 50 pounds. As a result, it does not directly compete for most of its
business with overnight courier or small parcel companies, such as Federal
Express Corporation and United Parcel Service of America, Inc. Such companies
typically use their own captive airplane fleets, which on occasion serve as a
source of cargo space for the Company's forwarding operations.

When acting as a forwarder, the Company is legally responsible to its
customer for the safe delivery of the customer's cargo to its ultimate
destination, subject to a contractual limitation on liability to the lesser of
$0.50 per pound or $50 for domestic flights and the greater of $50 or $20 per
kilogram ($9.07 per pound) for international flights. However, because an air
freight forwarder's relationship to an airline is that of a shipper to a
carrier, the airline generally has the same responsibility to the Company as
the Company has to its customers. Additionally, shippers may purchase insurance
on shipments. The Company may have sole carrier liability for a shipment prior
to or after delivery to the carrier, and in certain other cases. The Company's
claims expenses have generally been limited, totaling $468,000, $324,000 and
$126,000 for the fiscal years ended 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

The Company's ability to serve its customers depends on the
availability of air cargo space, including that on passenger and cargo airlines
that service the relevant transportation lanes. Shortages of cargo space are
most likely to develop around holidays and in especially heavy transportation
lanes. In addition, available cargo space could be reduced as a result of
decreases in the number of passenger airlines serving particular transportation
lanes at particular times, which could occur as a result of economic conditions
and other factors beyond the control of the Company. Although the Company does
not believe that the lack of cargo space has had a significant impact on its
ability to book cargo space to date, future operating results could be
adversely affected by significant shortages of suitable cargo space and
associated increases in rates charged by passenger airlines for cargo space.


2


5

INTERNATIONAL AIR FREIGHT FORWARDING SERVICES

The Company continues to expand its international forwarding
operations. The Company is in the process of establishing arrangements with
independent cargo agents in international locations. The Company plans for
these foreign service agents to provide breakbulk, delivery and customs
brokerage services for cargo generated by the Company's domestic locations as
well as arranging for overseas sales of cargo bound for the United States. The
Company expects to emphasize the marketing of international services in
strategically designated domestic locations including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago,
Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Seattle.

To support its international operations, the Company intends to seek a
customs brokers license from the United States Department of the Treasury. In
addition, the Company plans to pursue certification from the Federal Maritime
Commission as an NVOCC (Non-Vessel Owning Common Carrier) in order to handle
international ocean shipments. Prior to obtaining such license and
certification, the Company will rely upon third parties to meet its customs
brokerage and ocean freight needs.

LOCAL DELIVERY SERVICES

Through its Eagle Freight Services subsidiary, the Company provides
same-day local pick-up and delivery services, both for shipments for which it
is acting as an air freight forwarder as well as for third-party customers
requiring pick-up and delivery within the same metropolitan area. The Company
believes that Eagle Freight Services provides an important complement to its
air freight forwarding services by allowing for quality control over the
critical pick-up and delivery segments of the transportation process as well as
allowing for prompt, updated information on the status of a customer's shipment
at each step in such process. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996
and 1995, Eagle Freight Services had revenues of $31.7 million and $15.0
million, respectively. Approximately $20.2 million and $9.3 million of such
revenues in the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively,
was attributable to the Company's air freight forwarding operations, which was
approximately 63% and 39%, respectively, of the total cost of providing local
pick up and delivery for the Company's freight forwarding customers. The
remaining $11.5 million and $5.7 million, respectively, of Eagle Freight
Service's revenues in such years was attributable to local delivery services
for third party (non-forwarding) customers.

Eagle Freight Services commenced service in Houston in 1989 and in
recent years has rapidly expanded its operations. On October 1, 1994, the
Company acquired a 50% ownership interest in Eagle Freight Services and
acquired the remaining 50% at the closing of the initial public offering on
December 6, 1995. As of September 30, 1996, local delivery services were
offered in 28 of the 47 cities in which the Company's terminals were located,
with 17 of such locations being established during fiscal 1996. Such locations
are generally the sites of the Company's busiest forwarding operations. The
Company currently intends to initiate local pick-up and delivery services in
approximately 17 additional locations in fiscal 1997, although such plans may
change based on several factors. On-demand pick-up and delivery services are
available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In most locations, delivery
drivers are independent contractors who operate their own vehicles.

Eagle Freight Services focuses on obtaining and servicing those
accounts with a relatively high volume of business, which the Company believes
provides a greater potential for profitability than a broader base of small,
infrequent customers. During fiscal year 1996, the Company used a portion of
the proceeds from its initial public offering to begin an upgrade of the
information systems used by Eagle Freight Services. Such improvements included
bar code and signature scanners that are currently being field tested that
would allow for enhanced tracking of shipments and real-time access by shippers
of receipt signatures for proof of delivery information.

TRUCK BROKERAGE

In April 1995, the Company established Eagle Transportation Services,
the Company's truck brokerage subsidiary, to provide additional logistical
support to its forwarding operations and, to a lesser extent, to provide
truckload service to selected customers. Eagle Transportation Services locates
and secures capacity when overland transportation is the most efficient means
of meeting customer delivery requirements, especially in cases of air freight
customers choosing the economy delivery option. The use of Eagle Transportation
Services enables the Company to meet delivery requirements without having to
rely on third-party truck brokerage services. Additionally, by providing for
its own truck brokerage, the Company has been able to achieve greater
efficiencies and utilize purchasing power over providers. Eagle Transportation
Services does not own any trucks, but instead utilizes carriers or independent
owner-operators of trucks and trailers on an as-needed basis. The Company
utilizes its relationships with a number of independent trucking companies to
obtain truck and trailer space. If space is not available through such
companies, the Company utilizes electronic bulletin boards to communicate with
independent truckers as to the Company's


3


6

needs. The average length of haul was approximately 1,245 and 1,350 miles,
during the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Eagle
Transportation Services is operated out of the Company's Houston offices. As
with local pick-up and delivery services, the Company views Eagle
Transportation Services primarily as a means of maintaining quality control and
enhancing customer service of its core air freight forwarding business as well
as a means of capturing a portion of profits that would otherwise be earned by
third parties. The Company may expand its truck brokerage operations
selectively in the future beyond providing support to its air freight
operations, to providing truck brokerage services to customers that do not
utilize the Company's air freight services.

INFORMATION SYSTEMS

A primary component of the Company's business strategy is the
continued development of advanced information systems. The Company has invested
substantial management and financial resources in the development of its
information systems in an effort to provide accurate and timely information to
its management and customers. The Company believes the ability to provide
accurate up-to-date information on the status of shipments, both internally (to
ensure on-time delivery and efficient operations) and to customers (through
whatever medium they request), will become increasingly important.

The Company has developed and continues to upgrade its information
systems. These include its CUES logistics information system and its management
information and accounting systems. A central computer located at the Company's
headquarters in Houston, Texas is accessible from computer terminals located at
all of its facilities, and from computer terminals located at the facilities of
many of the Company's customers through the use of a toll-free dial-in program
developed by the Company. The CUES system provides a comprehensive source of
information for managing the logistics of the Company's sourcing and
distribution activities. Specifically, the CUES system permits the Company to
track the flow of a particular shipment from purchase order through the
transportation process to the point of delivery. Through the system, the
Company can also access daily financial information for the entire Company, a
particular terminal, a particular customer or a given shipment. CUES permits
on-line entry and retrieval of shipment, pricing, scheduling, booking and
tracking data and interfaces with the Company's management information and
accounting systems. Electronic data interchange connections to selected
airlines permit instant retrieval by the Company, and by those of its customers
interfacing with CUES, of information on the status of shipments in the custody
of those airlines. CUES' electronic data interchange also allows for status
updates, electronic invoicing, funds exchange and file exchange. CUES provides
the Company's sales force with margin information on customers and shipments,
thereby enhancing the Company's ability to bid aggressively for future
forwarding business and to avoid committing to unprofitable shipments. CUES can
provide the Company's management and customers with reports customized to meet
their information requirements. The Company believes that its systems have been
instrumental in the productivity of its personnel and the quality of its
operations and service, and have resulted in substantial reductions in
paperwork and expedited the entry, processing, retrieval and dissemination of
critical information, both internally and to customers.

The expansion of the Company's local pick-up and delivery service is
expected to further improve the Company's logistics system by enabling data
with respect to a shipment to be input remotely from point of pick-up through
point of delivery. The Company has purchased and is field testing the use of
remote hand-held bar code and signature scanners for use by its pick-up and
delivery units that allow for enhanced tracking of shipments and immediate
viewing by shippers of receipt signatures.

During the course of fiscal 1996, the Company has been developing a
next generation on-line system to replace CUES. The new system, which is
scheduled for delivery in fiscal 1997, further enhances the integration of
shipment movements within the Company's financial reporting system and allows
management personnel to request reports and view management information via
on-line inquiry. As with the CUES system, the new system makes shipment
revenues and costs immediately available for analysis of individual shipment
profitability as well as improved reporting on the customer, terminal, region
or Company-wide.

The new system will be integrated with the remote hand-held bar code
and signature scanners being utilized by Eagle Freight Services to
automatically apply the proof of delivery information to the system. This
information is then made immediately available to all on-line locations as well
as customer dial-in facilities.

The Company's systems also include Eagle-Ship (formally, ASAM), which
allows its customers to automate their shipping process and consolidate their
shipping systems. The Eagle-Ship system was developed by, and through January
2001 is licensed to the Company from, ASAM International, which is restricted
from making the system available to most other major air freight forwarders
during that time. For customers using Eagle-Ship, the Company provides a
dedicated personal computer, printer and bar code scanner that allow the
customer's shipping dock personnel to process and weigh boxes, record the
shipment,

4


7

produce customized box labels and print an Eagle house airway bill or bill of
lading. Eagle-Ship also provides customers with weight analysis, tariff
reporting, assistance in consolidation of like orders and price comparison
among shipping options.

The Eagle-Ship system enables the Company's customers to process
shipments for many carriers with one personal computer and to compare the cost
and service options of various carriers, consolidate Eagle-Ship label printing
and generate reports that profile the customer's shipping activity. Eagle-Ship
is designed to run shipping systems for United Parcel Service of America, Inc.,
Federal Express Corporation, Airborne Freight Corporation and Emery Air Freight
Corporation, and can be customized to run the systems of up to 99 other air and
truck carriers. The Company believes that Eagle-Ship gives it a competitive
advantage among a growing number of customers that are resistant to the
proliferation of dedicated shipper systems because of the cost, complexity and
dock space required to maintain a separate personal computer for each carrier,
and that the use of Eagle-Ship should lead to increased use of the Company's
services by helping to ensure that customers will allocate dock space to
Eagle-Ship rather than multiple systems from other carriers. Although
Eagle-Ship does provide customers with assistance in selecting competitors for
the Company's shipping services, the Company believes that much of such
information, such as that relating to Federal Express Corporation, is used in
the delivery of documents and small packages, which constitute a small portion
of the Company's cargoes, and that, overall, Eagle-Ship will demonstrate to
customers the advantages of the Company's services in comparison to its more
direct competitors. As of September 30, 1996 and 1995, the Company had
installed 31 and 17, respectively, Eagle-Ship personal computers for its
customers. The Company believes that Eagle-Ship enhances its ability to market
to national accounts.

LOGISTICS SERVICES

Many customers are increasingly demanding more than the simple
movement of freight from their transportation suppliers. To meet these needs,
suppliers, such as the Company, seek to customize their services, by, among
other things, providing information on the status of materials, components and
finished goods through the logistics pipeline and providing performance reports
on and proof of delivery for each shipment.

The Company utilizes its logistics expertise to maximize the
efficiency and performance of its forwarding and other transportation services
to its customers. In addition, the Company provides transportation consulting
services and makes available its expertise and resources to assist customers in
balancing their transportation needs against budgetary constraints by
developing logistics plans for its customers. The Company staffs and manages
the shipping department of certain of its customers that outsource their
transportation function and may seek to provide outsourcing services to other
customers in the future. The Company also provides other ancillary services,
such as electronic data interchange, custom shipping reports, computerized
tracking of shipments, customs brokerage, air charters, warehousing, cargo
assembly and protective packing and crating.

MARKETING AND CUSTOMERS

The Company's principal customers include large manufacturers and
distributors of computers and other electronic and high-technology equipment,
printed materials and publishing, automotive parts, trade show exhibit
materials, telecommunications equipment, machinery and machine parts and
apparel. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, no customer accounted
for greater than 10% of the Company's revenues. Adverse conditions in the
industries of the Company's customers or loss of a significant customer could
negatively impact the Company. The Company expects that demand for the
Company's services (and consequently results of operations) will continue to be
sensitive to domestic and, increasingly, global economic conditions and other
factors beyond its control.

The Company markets its services through an organization consisting of
approximately 137 full-time salespersons supported by the sales efforts of
senior management, its five regional managers and its terminal managers.
Managers at each office are responsible for customer service and coordinate the
reporting of customers' requirements and expectations with the regional
managers. Company employees are available 24 hours a day to respond to customer
inquiries.

The Company has increased its emphasis on obtaining high-revenue
national accounts with multiple shipping locations. These accounts typically
impose numerous requirements on those competing for their freight business,
such as electronic data interchange and proof of delivery capabilities, the
ability to generate customized shipping reports and a nationwide network of
terminals. These requirements often limit the competition for these accounts to
integrated carriers and a very small number of forwarders. The Company believes
that its recent growth and development has enabled it to compete for and obtain
these accounts.


5


8
COMPETITION AND INDUSTRY TRENDS

Competition within the freight industry is intense. Although the
industry is highly fragmented, the Company competes most often with a
relatively small number of forwarders with nationwide networks and the
capability to provide the breadth of services offered by the Company and with
fully integrated carriers focusing on heavy cargo, including Emery Air Freight
Corporation and Burlington Air Express, Inc. The Company also encounters
competition from passenger and cargo air carriers, trucking companies and
others. As the Company expands its international operations, it expects to
encounter increased competition from those forwarders that have a predominantly
international focus, including Fritz Companies Inc., Expeditors International
of Washington Inc., Harper Group, Inc. and Air Express International
Corporation, as well as from its competitors for domestic forwarding. Many of
the Company's competitors have substantially greater financial resources than
the Company. The Company also encounters competition from regional and local
air freight forwarders, cargo sales agents and brokers, surface freight
forwarders and carriers and associations of shippers organized for the purpose
of consolidating their members' shipments to obtain lower freight rates from
carriers. The Company believes that quality of service, including reliability,
responsiveness, expertise and convenience, scope of operations and price are
the most important competitive factors in its industry.

SEASONALITY

Historically, the Company's operating results have been subject to a
limited degree to seasonal trends when measured on a quarterly basis. The
second quarter has traditionally been the weakest and the fourth quarter has
traditionally been the strongest. This pattern is the result of, or is
influenced by, numerous factors including climate, national holidays, consumer
demand, economic conditions and a myriad of other similar and subtle forces. In
addition, this historical quarterly trend has been influenced by the growth and
diversification of the Company's terminal network. The Company cannot
accurately forecast many of these factors, nor can the Company estimate
accurately the relative influence of any particular factor and, as a result,
there can be no assurance that historical patterns, if any, will continue in
future periods.

EMPLOYEES

The Company had approximately 961 full-time employees at September 30,
1996, including 137 sales personnel. None of the Company's employees are
currently covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The Company has
experienced no work stoppages and considers its relations with its employees to
be good. The Company also has contracts with approximately 450 independent
owner/operators of local delivery services as of September 30, 1996. The
independent owner/operators own, operate and maintain the vehicles they use in
their work for the Company and may employ qualified drivers of their choice.
Company-owned vehicles are driven by 94 employee drivers as of September 30,
1996.

From time to time, third parties, including the Internal Revenue
Service ("IRS") and state authorities, have sought to assert, and at times have
been successful in asserting, that independent owner/operators in the
transportation industry, including those of the type utilized in connection
with the Company's local pick-up and delivery operations, are "employees,"
rather than "independent contractors," thus requiring the withholding of
employee and payroll taxes. Although the Company believes that the independent
owner/operators utilized by it are not employees, there can be no assurance
that the IRS and state authorities will not challenge this position, or that
federal and state tax or other applicable laws, or interpretations thereof,
will not change. If they do, the Company could be liable for additional taxes,
penalties and interest for prior periods and additional taxes for future
periods. From time to time drivers for Eagle Freight Services are involved in
accidents. Although most of these drivers are independent contractors, there
can be no assurance that the Company will not be held liable for the actions of
such drivers or that claims against the Company will not exceed the amount of
insurance coverage. An increase in the costs relating to accidents, claims or
insurance could adversely affect the Company.

The Company pays its entire sales force and most of its operations
personnel what it believes is significantly more than the industry average and
offers a broad-based compensation plan to these employees that has generally
remained unchanged from year to year. Sales personnel are paid a gross
commission on shipments sold while operations personnel and management are paid
bonuses based on the profitability of their terminals, as well as the
profitability of the Company. To ensure quality control and the profitability
of accounts, the terminal manager retains the final approval on all accounts.

REGULATION

The Company's air freight forwarding business is subject to
regulation, as an indirect air cargo carrier, under the Federal Aviation Act by
the Department of Transportation, although air freight forwarders are exempted
from most of such Act's

6


9

requirements by the Economic Aviation Regulations promulgated thereunder. The
Company's foreign air freight forwarding operations are subject to similar
regulation by the regulatory authorities of the respective foreign
jurisdictions. The air freight forwarding industry is subject to regulatory and
legislative changes which can affect the economics of the industry by requiring
changes in operating practices or influencing the demand for, and the costs of
providing, services to customers.

The Company's delivery operations are subject to various state and
local regulations and, in many instances, require permits and licenses from
state authorities. In addition, certain of the Company's delivery operations
are regulated by the Surface Transportation Board. These state and federal
authorities have broad power, including the power to approve certain mergers,
consolidations and acquisitions, and the power to regulate the delivery of
certain types of shipments and operations within certain geographic areas, and
the Surface Transportation Board has the power to regulate motor carrier
operations, approve certain rates, charges and accounting systems and require
periodic financial reporting. Interstate motor carrier operations are also
subject to safety requirements prescribed by the Federal Department of
Transportation. In some potential locations for the Company's delivery
operations, state and local permits and licenses may be difficult to obtain.

The Company's truck brokerage operations require it to be regulated as
a property broker by the Surface Transportation Board for which the Company has
obtained a property broker license and surety bond. The Company's current
domestic customs brokerage agents are, and any such future internal customs
brokerage operations will be, subject to the licensing requirements of the
United States Department of the Treasury and are regulated by the United States
Customs Service. The Company's foreign customs brokerage agents are licensed in
and subject to the regulations of their respective countries. The Federal
Maritime Commission will regulate the Company's expected ocean forwarding
operations.

In the United States, the Company is subject to Federal, state and
local provisions relating to the discharge of materials into the environment or
otherwise for the protection of the environment. Similar laws apply in many
foreign jurisdictions in which the Company may operate in the future. Although
current operations have not been significantly affected by compliance with
these environmental laws, governments are becoming increasingly sensitive to
environmental issues, and the Company cannot predict what impact future
environmental regulations may have on its business. The Company does not
anticipate making any material capital expenditures for environmental control
purposes during the remainder of the current or succeeding fiscal years.

Certain federal officials are considering implementing increased
security measures with respect to air cargo. There can be no assurance as to
what, if any, regulations will be adopted or, if adopted, as to their ultimate
effect on the Company. The Company does not believe that costs of regulatory
compliance have had a material adverse impact on its operations to date.
However, failure of the Company to comply with the applicable regulations or to
maintain required permits or licenses could result in substantial fines or
revocation of the Company's operating permits or authorities. There can be no
assurance as to the degree or cost of future regulations on the Company's
business.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

As of September 30, 1996, the Company's corporate office occupied
approximately 33,000 square feet of space in facilities located in Houston,
Texas. All corporate office space is leased under agreements that expire in
1998. The Company's 47 terminal locations typically are located at or near
major metropolitan airports and occupy approximately 1,000 to 52,000 square
feet of leased space each. Currently, other than its Newark terminal all of
such properties are leased, although the Company may purchase or construct
facilities if it believes it can do so on a more attractive basis. The Company
has purchased a site near its Houston terminal and plans to construct a new
terminal, warehouse and headquarters facility. Generally, each terminal
location lease is for a term of three to six years and expires between 1997 and
2002. From time to time, the Company may expand or relocate certain terminals
to accommodate growth.



7
10

The Company's terminals as of September 30, 1996 were:




LOCATION AIRPORT SERVED MONTH AND YEAR OPENED
- -------- -------------- ---------------------

Houston, Texas* Houston Intercontinental Airport March 1984
Dallas, Texas* Dallas Ft. Worth International Airport November 1988
St. Louis, Missouri* Lambert St. Louis International Airport February 1989
Atlanta, Georgia* Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport October 1989
Los Angeles, California* Los Angeles International Airport May 1991
San Francisco, California* San Francisco International Airport June 1991
Chicago, Illinois* Chicago O'Hare International Airport February 1992
Newark, New Jersey* Newark International Airport May 1992
Boston, Massachusetts Boston Logan International Airport February 1993
Charlotte, North Carolina* Charlotte Douglas International Airport March 1993
Denver, Colorado* Denver International Airport March 1993
San Antonio, Texas* San Antonio International Airport March 1993
El Paso, Texas El Paso International Airport September 1993
Orlando, Florida* Orlando International Airport September 1993
San Diego, California San Diego Lindbergh Field International Airport October 1993
Seattle, Washington* Seattle Tacoma International Airport October 1993
Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City International Airport January 1994
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Will Rogers International Airport January 1994
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina* Raleigh-Durham Airport January 1994
Austin, Texas* Robert Mueller Municipal Airport February 1994
Greenville, South Carolina Greenville/Spartanburg Airport March 1994
Cincinnati, Ohio* Cincinnati/N. Kentucky International Airport April 1994
Minneapolis, Minnesota* Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport May 1994
Memphis, Tennessee* Memphis International Airport July 1994
Detroit, Michigan* Detroit Metro Airport September 1994
Portland, Oregon Portland International Airport September 1994
Baltimore, Maryland/Washington, D.C.* Baltimore/Washington International Airport September 1994
Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport November 1994
Cleveland, Ohio* Cleveland Hopkins International Airport December 1994
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania* Philadelphia International Airport December 1994
McAllen, Texas* McAllen Miller International Airport January 1995
Albuquerque, New Mexico Albuquerque International Airport June 1995
Las Vegas, Nevada McCarran International Airport July 1995
Indianapolis, Indiana* Indianapolis International Airport July 1995
Sacramento, California* Sacramento Metro Airport July 1995
San Juan, Puerto Rico Luis Munoz Marin International Airport August 1995
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania* Pittsburgh International Airport September 1995
Milwaukee, Wisconsin Mitchell International Field December 1995
New Orleans, Louisiana* New Orleans International Airport January 1996
Miami, Florida* Miami International Airport March 1996
Hartford, Connecticut Bradley International Airport April 1996
Salt Lake City, Utah Salt Lake City International Airport May 1996
Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu International Airport May 1996
Columbus, Ohio Port Columbus International Airport June 1996
Tulsa, Oklahoma Tulsa International Airport July 1996
Omaha, Nebraska Eppley Airport July 1996
Tucson, Arizona Tucson International Airport July 1996

- -----------------------
* Includes Eagle Freight Services local pick-up and delivery operations.



8
11

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time the Company is a party to various legal proceedings
arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company is not currently a
party to any material litigation and is not aware of any litigation threatened
against it that could have a material adverse effect on its business.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Pursuant to Instruction 3 to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K and General
Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, the following information is included in Part I
of this Form 10-K.

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the
executive officers of the Company as of September 30, 1996:




Name Age Position
---- --- --------

James R. Crane 42 Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Daniel S. Swannie 48 Chief Operating Officer

Donald P. Roberts 44 Chief Marketing Officer

Douglas A. Seckel 45 Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer



The following background material is provided for each executive
officer employed by the registrant, including employment history for at least
the last five years:

James R. Crane has served as president and a director of the Company
since he founded the Company in March 1984.

Daniel S. Swannie served as Chief Operating Officer of the Company
from 1990 until October 1996 and has served as a director of the Company since
May 1995.

Donald P. Roberts has served as Chief Marketing Officer of the Company
since October 1994 and has served as a director of the Company since May 1995.
Mr. Roberts served as Regional Sales Manager of the Company between January
1985 and October 1994.

Douglas A. Seckel has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company
since April 1989, has served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Company since
May 1991 and has served as director of the Company since May 1995. Mr. Seckel
and Mr. Crane are first cousins.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

The Company's common stock has been publicly traded through the Nasdaq
National Market tier of The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol EUSA since the
Company's initial public offering effective November 30, 1995. The following
table sets forth the quarterly high and low closing sales prices for each
indicated quarter of fiscal 1996, as adjusted retroactively for a 2-for-1 stock
split which occurred August 1, 1996:


9
12



Quarter Ended High Low
- ------------- ---- ---

December 31, 1995 13 1/8 9 1/8
March 31, 1996 15 1/2 12 1/4
June 30, 1996 19 13 3/4
September 30, 1996 26 17 1/4


There were approximately 1,378 shareholders of record (including
brokerage firms and other nominees) of the Company's common stock as of
November 29, 1996.

From October 1992 to the Company's initial public offering, the
Company was an S Corporation and distributed to its shareholders all of its
taxable income. Prior to its initial public offering, during the two previous
fiscal years, the Company paid distributions consisting of cash and notes of
$2.7 million and $14.6 million in fiscal 1996 and 1995, respectively. Since its
initial public offering, the Company has not paid cash dividends on its common
stock and it is the current intention of management to retain earnings to
finance the growth of the Company's business. The Company's credit facility
limits dividend payments to 25% of the Company's cumulative net worth generated
after the date of the initial public offering.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth selected financial data of the Company
which have been derived from consolidated financial statements that have been
audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants. The selected
financial data should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated
Financial Statements and Notes thereto, included elsewhere in this report.




FISCAL YEAR ENDED
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
(In thousands, except per share and operating data)

STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Revenues $185,445 $126,214 $83,276 $47,425 $25,711
Operating income 17,849 12,205 5,886 2,390 67
Net Income 12,426 11,189 5,470 2,285 57
Pro forma net income 11,481 7,507 3,554 1,462 57
Pro forma net income per share (1) .66 .51 -- -- --
Weighted average shares outstanding (1) 17,521 14,782 12,000 12,000 12,000

OPERATING DATA:
Gross margin 44.3% 42.7% 40.2% 39.9% 40.1%
Operating margin 9.6% 9.7% 7.0% 5.0% 0.3%
Operating ratio (2) 90.4% 90.3% 93.0% 95.0% 99.7%
Same terminal revenue growth(3) 29.3% 29.1% 44.0% 63.0% 17.0%
Air freight terminals at period end 47 37 27 14 8
Local delivery terminals at period end 28 11 0 0 0
Freight forwarding shipments 524,685 382,583 291,956 178,545 82,293
Average revenue per freight forwarding $331 $314 $285 $266 $312
shipment
Average weight (lbs) per freight 576 608 520 506 N/A
forwarding shipment

BALANCE SHEET DATA: (at year end)
Working capital $41,487 $6,852 $3,510 $1,025 $31
Total assets 71,729 24,468 16,612 9,884 5,154
Long-term indebtedness, net of 0 8,474 11 18 78
current portion
Shareholders' equity 50,442 1,699 5,031 2,032 573



10


13

(1) Pro forma net income per share is computed by dividing pro forma net
income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock
outstanding during the period, adjusted to include the following: (i)
the retroactive restatement giving effect to the 2-for-1 stock split
in August 1996; (ii) the weighted average of common stock equivalents
issuable upon exercise of stock options, less the number of shares
that could have been repurchased with the exercise proceeds using the
treasury stock method; and (iii) the number of shares required to be
sold by the Company to fund S Corporation shareholder distributions
upon closing of the initial public offering. The computation for the
year ended September 30, 1996 also includes the number of shares that
the Company's Chairman of the Board received upon the closing of the
initial public offering in connection with the Company's acquisition
of interests in subsidiaries. Historical earnings per share is not
provided for any of the periods presented; as such inclusion is
considered to be irrelevant.

(2) Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue.

(3) Percentage increase in revenues for those terminals open 12 months as
of the beginning of the prior fiscal year.

------------------------------------


Forward Looking Statements. The statements contained in all parts of
this document (including the portion, if any, appended to the Form 10-K) that
include, but are not limited to, those relating to the availability of cargo
space; the Company's plans for international air freight forwarding services;
the expansion and results of the Company's terminal network; local delivery
services and truck brokerage; improvement in the Company's information systems
and logistic systems and services; future marketing results; construction of
the new facilities; the effect of litigation; future costs of transportation;
future operating expenses; future dividend plans; ability to continue growth
and implement growth and business strategy; the ability of expected sources of
liquidity to support working capital and capital expenditure requirements; and
the tax benefit of any stock option exercises; any other statements regarding
future growth, future cash needs, future terminals, future operations, business
plans and future financial results; and any other statements which are not
historical facts are forward-looking statements. When used in this document,
the words "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," and similar
expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify
forward-looking statements. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties,
including, but not limited to, those relating to the Company's dependence on
its ability to attract and retain skilled managers and other personnel; the
intense competition within the freight industry; the uncertainty of the
Company's ability to manage and continue its growth and implement its business
strategy; the Company's dependence on the availability of cargo space to serve
its customers; the potential for liabilities if certain independent
owner/operators that serve the Company are determined to be employees; effects
of regulation; results of litigation; the Company's vulnerability to general
economic conditions and dependence on its principal customers; the control by
the Company's principal shareholder; the Company's potential exposure to claims
involving its local pick-up and delivery operations; the Company's future
financial and operating results, cash needs and demand for its services; and
the Company's ability to maintain and comply with permits and licenses; as well
as other factors detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties
materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes
may vary materially from those indicated.


ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following management's discussion and analysis of financial
condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the
Company's consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.

GENERAL

During the past two fiscal years, the Company's revenues increased at
a compound annual rate of 49.3% to $185.4 million in the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1996 from $83.3 million in the fiscal year ended September 30,
1994, and its operating income increased at a compound annual rate of 76.8% to
$17.8 million in fiscal 1996 from $5.9 million in fiscal 1994. The Company's
recent growth has been generated almost exclusively by increasing the number of
terminals operated by the Company and growth in revenue produced by existing
terminals. Since October 1, 1994, it has added 20 terminals, increasing the
total to 47 at September 30, 1996. At that date, 10 of these 47 terminals had
been open less than 12 months.

The Company plans to continue to expand its terminal network. The
Company currently plans to open terminals in approximately 13 additional cities
in fiscal 1997. Such plans, however, are subject to change based on a variety
of factors. The

11


14

expansion of the Company's terminals is expected to occur primarily in the
United States, although the Company plans to selectively pursue opportunities
to expand outside of the United States, particularly in Canada and Mexico. The
Company may complement its internal expansion with selective acquisitions.

The opening of a new terminal generally has an initial negative impact
on profitability due to operating losses of the new terminal. The opening of a
new terminal generally does not require significant capital expenditures.
Additionally, personnel costs are contained at the time of the opening of a new
terminal because commissions are generally not paid until salesmen achieve
minimum sales levels and until managers achieve terminal profitability.
Although future new terminals may be opened in cities smaller than those in
which the Company's more mature terminals are located, the Company believes the
results of new terminals should benefit from a ready base of business provided
by its existing customers. Although no acquisitions have been made through
September 30, 1996, the Company may consider acquisitions to complement new
terminal openings.

The Company has recently begun to expand its international freight
forwarding business. International shipments typically generate higher revenues
per shipment than domestic shipments. The Company anticipates that the costs of
transportation for international freight will be higher than for domestic
freight as a percentage of such revenues, resulting in lower gross margins than
domestic shipments; however, the Company does not expect its operating expenses
to increase in proportion to such revenues. The Company also intends to
continue the growth of its local pick-up and delivery operations. By providing
local pick-up and delivery services with respect to shipments for which it is
the freight forwarder, the Company has been able to increase its gross margin
with respect to such shipments because its costs to provide such services are
less than the third-party charges it previously paid. However, the Company's
local pick-up and delivery services provided to other (non-forwarding)
customers generate a lower gross margin than the Company's domestic forwarding
operations due to their higher transportation costs as a percentage of
revenues.

Effective October 1, 1992, Eagle elected to be treated as an S
Corporation under Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code and comparable
provisions of certain state tax laws. From October 1, 1992 until the
termination of its S Corporation status, the Company paid no federal income
tax. For financial reporting purposes, for periods prior to the Company's
initial public offering, Eagle recorded a provision for state income taxes for
all states in which it operated. The Company also has recorded for fiscal 1996
and 1995 the federal income tax liability for each of its subsidiaries, which
had paid federal income taxes. Shortly prior to the initial public offering in
December 1995, Eagle's status as an S Corporation was terminated and for
periods thereafter, Eagle has been liable for federal income taxes and state
income taxes in certain states. Prior to the closing of the initial public
offering, Eagle declared distributions payable both in cash and in the form of
the Special Distribution Notes in an amount equal to all of Eagle's
undistributed S Corporation earnings up through such closing. The Company has
no plans to pay any dividends or distributions in the foreseeable future.

On October 1, 1994, the Company purchased a 50% interest in Eagle
Freight Services, Inc. and C&D Freight Services of California, Inc. from a
third party and, during fiscal 1995 purchased a 50% interest in Freight
Services Management, Inc. from the Company's Chairman of the Board and
initiated operation of Eagle USA Transportation Services, Inc. and Eagle USA
Import Brokers, Inc. (the "Eagle Subsidiaries"). The remaining interests in the
Eagle Subsidiaries were purchased from the Company's Chairman of the Board
immediately prior to the closing of the initial public offering in December
1995. Because Eagle controlled the Eagle Subsidiaries, results for fiscal 1995
and 1996 reflect the operations of all of the Eagle Subsidiaries as if they had
been 100% owned by the Company as of the beginning of the period presented.

The Company has experienced significant growth in the past through
increases in sales at existing terminals and opening new terminals. The Company
anticipates that its growth strategy in the future will include internal growth
in its domestic and international freight forwarding, local pick-up and
delivery and truck brokerage business, and could also include acquisitions. The
Company's ability to continue its growth will depend on a number of factors,
including existing and emerging competition, the ability to open new terminals,
the ability to maintain profit margins in the face of competitive pressures,
the continued recruitment, training and retention of operating employees, the
strength of demand for its services and the availability of capital to support
such growth and the ability to identify, negotiate and fund acquisitions when
appropriate. International operations are likely to involve increased costs and
risks including those related to foreign regulation, intensified competition,
currency fluctuations and exchange controls. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be successful in implementing any of its business strategy and
plans for future growth.


12


15

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table presents certain statement of income data as a
percentage of revenues for the periods indicated.




Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
-------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
------ ------ ----

Revenues 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of transportation 55.7 57.3 59.8
----- ----- -----

Gross profit 44.3 42.7 40.2
Personnel costs 22.5 22.1 23.0
Other selling, general and administrative expenses 12.2 10.9 10.2
----- ----- -----
Operating expenses 34.7 33.0 33.2
----- ----- -----
Operating income 9.6% 9.7% 7.0%
===== ===== =====
Pro forma net income 6.2% 6.0% 4.3%


FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1995

Revenues increased 46.9% to $185.4 million in fiscal 1996 from $126.2
million in fiscal 1995 primarily due to increases in the number of shipments
and the tonnage of cargo shipped, increased penetration in existing markets, an
increase in the number of terminals open during such period and the addition of
significant national account customers. For those terminals open as of the
beginning of fiscal 1995, revenues increased approximately 29.3% to $151.6
million in fiscal 1996 from $117.2 million in fiscal 1995. Revenues for fiscal
1996 were comprised of $173.4 million of forwarding revenues, $11.5 million of
local pick-up and delivery revenues and $500,000 of other freight forwarding
revenues. Total local pick-up and delivery revenues for the Company's Eagle
Freight Services and C&D Freight Services of California subsidiaries for fiscal
1996 were $31.7 million, an amount that includes $20.2 million of inter-company
sales to Eagle (which were eliminated upon consolidation) and $11.5 million in
services to third party (non-forwarding) customers.

Cost of transportation decreased as a percentage of revenues to 55.7%
in fiscal 1996 from 57.3% in fiscal 1995. The decrease was primarily
attributable to the continued expansion of the local pick up and delivery
operations, enabling the Company to capture margins previously paid to third
parties, and to a lesser extent was attributable to the January 1, 1996
expiration of the Federal Air Cargo Transportation Excise Tax, which was
reinstated on August 27, 1996. Cost of transportation increased in absolute
terms by 42.8% to $103.3 million in fiscal 1996 from $72.4 million in fiscal
1995 as a result of increases in air freight shipped. Gross margin increased to
44.3% in fiscal 1996 from 42.7% in fiscal 1995. Gross profit increased 52.5% to
$82.1 million in fiscal 1996 from $53.9 million in fiscal 1995.

Operating expenses increased as a percentage of revenues to 34.7% in
fiscal 1996 from 33.0% in fiscal 1995. Operating expenses increased in absolute
terms by 54.4% to $64.3 million in fiscal 1996 from $41.6 million in fiscal
1995. Personnel costs increased slightly as a percentage of revenues to 22.5%
in fiscal 1996 from 22.1% in fiscal 1995, and increased in absolute terms by
49% to $41.6 million due to increased staffing needs associated with the
opening of 10 new terminals, expanded operations at existing terminals and
increased revenues, which resulted in an increase in commissions. Such costs
include all compensation expenses, including those relating to sales
commissions and salaries and to headquarters employees and executive officers.
As the Company has opened new terminals, commissions have generally decreased
as a percentage of revenues because commissions are generally not paid until
salesmen achieve certain minimum sales levels and managers achieve certain
terminal profitability levels. Other selling, general and administrative
expenses increased as a percentage of revenues to 12.2% in fiscal 1996 from
10.9% in fiscal 1995, and increased in absolute terms by 65.4% to $22.7 million
in fiscal 1996 from $13.7 million in fiscal 1995. In 1996, selling expenses
increased by .1% and other general and administrative expenses increased 1.2%
compared to 1995. The increases in selling, general and administrative expenses
were due to overall increases in the level of the Company's activities in
fiscal year 1996.

Operating income increased 46.2% to $17.8 million in fiscal 1996 from
$12.2 million in fiscal 1995. For those terminals open as of the beginning of
fiscal 1995, operating income increased approximately 37.1% to $7.3 million in
fiscal 1996 as compared to $5.3 million in fiscal 1995. For purposes of
determining the operating income of each terminal, the Company includes an
allocation for corporate overhead charges.


13


16

Non-operating income increased to approximately $934,000 in fiscal
1996 from approximately $319,000 in fiscal 1995 due to increased amounts of
short-term investments as a result of the cash proceeds from the Company's
initial public offering.

Income before income taxes increased 50.0% to $18.8 million in fiscal
1996 from $12.5 million in fiscal 1995. Provision for income taxes for fiscal
1996 was $6.4 million compared to provision for income taxes of $1.3 million
for fiscal 1995. Provision for income tax for fiscal 1996 included federal
taxes for the portion of the year following the initial public offering when
Eagle became a C corporation. For fiscal 1996 and 1995, provision for income
taxes included state income taxes and federal income taxes paid by the Eagle
Subsidiaries. Pro forma net income increased 52.9% to $11.5 million in fiscal
1996 from $7.5 million in fiscal 1995. Pro forma net income per share increased
29.4% to $0.66 per share in fiscal 1996 from $0.51 per share in fiscal 1995,
even with the significant increase in shares outstanding as a result of the
initial public offering.

FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1994

Revenues increased 51.5% to $126.2 million in fiscal 1995 from $83.3
million in fiscal 1994 due to increases in the total weight of cargo shipped,
resulting primarily from an increase in the number of terminals and an increase
in penetration of existing markets. For those terminals open as of the
beginning of fiscal 1994, revenues increased 29.1% to $100.1 million in fiscal
1995 as compared to $77.5 million in the prior fiscal year. Revenues for fiscal
1995 were comprised of $120.6 million of forwarding revenues and $5.7 million
of local pick-up and delivery revenues. The Company had no local pick-up and
delivery operations prior to the beginning of fiscal 1995. Total local pick-up
and delivery revenues for the Company's Eagle Freight Services and C&D Freight
Services of California subsidiaries for fiscal 1995 were $15.0 million, an
amount that includes $9.3 million of inter-company sales to Eagle (which were
eliminated upon consolidation) and $5.7 million in services to third party
(non-forwarding) customers.

Cost of transportation decreased as a percentage of revenues to 57.3%
in fiscal 1995 from 59.8% in fiscal 1994, although increasing in absolute terms
by 45.4% to $72.4 million from $49.8 million. The decrease as a percentage of
revenues was primarily attributable to the acquisition and expansion of the
Company's local -pick-up and delivery operations and to a lesser extent to
increased volume discounts from major carriers. Gross margin increased to 42.7%
in fiscal 1995 from 40.2% in fiscal 1994. Gross profit increased 60.6% to $53.8
million in fiscal 1995 from $33.5 million in fiscal 1994.

Operating expenses decreased as a percentage of revenue to 33.0% in
fiscal 1995 from 33.2% in fiscal 1994, but increased in absolute terms by 50.7%
to $41.6 million from $27.6 million. Containment of growth in personnel costs
was the reason for the improved operating margins, partially offset by the
growth in other selling, general and administrative expenses. Personnel costs
decreased as a percentage of revenues to 22.1% in fiscal 1995 from 23.0% in
fiscal 1994, although increasing in absolute terms to $27.9 million from $19.2
million. The decrease as a percentage of revenues resulted from the Company's
restructuring of its compensation system at the end of fiscal 1994 by replacing
a portion of compensation previously paid as commissions to managers with
grants under the Company's Incentive Plan, discontinuing contributions to the
Company's defined contributions money purchase pension plan and reducing
bonuses to executive officers. Other selling, general and administrative
expenses increased as a percentage of revenues to 10.9% in fiscal 1995 from
10.2% in fiscal 1994, primarily as a result of bad debts in fiscal 1995 related
to a bankrupt customer, and increased in absolute terms by 61.2% to $13.7
million from $8.5 million, primarily due to increased operations and an
increase in the number of locations.

Operating income increased 106.8% to $12.2 million in fiscal 1995 from
$5.9 million in fiscal 1994. For those terminals open as of the beginning of
fiscal 1994, operating income from such terminals increased 38.6% to $5.1
million in fiscal 1995 as compared to $3.7 million in the prior fiscal year.

Non-operating income increased to $318,663 in fiscal 1995 from $75,885
in fiscal 1994 due to increased amounts of short-term investments.

Income before income taxes increased 108.3% to $12.5 million (9.7% of
revenues) in fiscal 1995 from $6.0 million (7.0% of revenues) in fiscal 1994 as
revenues increased at a faster rate than costs. Provision for income taxes for
fiscal 1995 was $1,335,000 compared to $492,000 for fiscal 1994 and consisted
of charges for state income taxes and for federal income taxes paid by the
Eagle Subsidiaries. Pro forma net income increased 111.2% to $7.5 million in
fiscal 1995 from $3.6 million in fiscal 1994.


14


17

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company's cash and short-term investments increased $28.0 million
to $30.1 million at September 30, 1996 from $2.1 million at September 30, 1995.
At September 30, 1996, the Company had working capital of $41.5 million and a
current ratio of 2.95 compared to working capital of $6.9 million and a current
ratio of 1.48 at September 30, 1995. The Company's working capital has
increased primarily as a result of the proceeds of the initial public offering,
profitable growth associated with the expansion of the Company's operations and
the resultant increase in accounts receivable and payable. Capital expenditures
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996 were approximately $7.2 million.
The Company believes that cash flow from operations, its $10 million credit
facility and the proceeds from the initial public offering will be adequate to
support its normal working capital and capital expenditures requirements for at
least the next 12 months.

Other than its initial public offering, the Company's cash generated
from operations has been its primary source of liquidity, although it has from
time to time made limited use of bank borrowing and lease purchase
arrangements. The Company may utilize leasing alternatives for financing the
construction of the Houston terminal, warehouse and headquarters facility. The
Company has a $10 million revolving credit facility with NationsBank of Texas,
N.A. As of September 30, 1996, no amounts were outstanding under this credit
facility. The borrowing base under the credit facility is equal to 80% of
eligible accounts receivable and was approximately $24.9 million as of October
31, 1996. Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest, at the Company's
option, at the bank's prime rate or LIBOR plus an interest margin based on
leverage ratios. The credit facility expires and borrowing under the credit
facility are due in January 1998. Borrowings under the credit facility are
collateralized by substantially all of the Company's inventory and accounts
receivable. The credit facility's covenants restrict the incurrence of other
debt in an amount exceeding $1 million, include restrictions on liens,
investments and acquisitions, require the maintenance of minimum net worth, a
fixed charge coverage ratio of 2 to 1 and a leverage ratio not greater than
2.25 to 1 and restrict the payment of dividends to 25% of the Company's
cumulative net worth generated after the date of the initial public offering.

The Company made distributions of cash and/or notes to its pre-IPO
shareholders of $2.7 million and $14.6 million during the fiscal years ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Prior to the closing of the initial
public offering, the Company paid a series of distributions of cash and notes
in an amount estimated to equal all of its previously undistributed S
Corporation earnings.

As of September 30, 1996, the Company had outstanding non-qualified
stock options to purchase an aggregate of 2,193,127 shares of common stock at
exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the underlying common stock
on the dates of grant (prices ranging from $1.25 to $20.25). At the time a
non-qualified stock option is exercised, the Company will generally be entitled
to a deduction for federal and state income tax purposes equal to the
difference between the fair market value of the common stock on the date of
exercise and the option price. As a result of exercises for the year ended
September 30, 1996 of non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of
296,566 shares of common stock, the Company is entitled to a federal income tax
deduction of approximately $8.2 million. Assuming an effective tax rate of 40%,
the Company expects to realize a tax benefit of approximately $3.4 million;
accordingly, the Company recorded such an increase in other current assets and
additional paid-in capital pursuant to the provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" (FAS 109). Any
exercises of non-qualified stock options in the future at exercise prices below
the then fair market value of the common stock may also result in tax benefits
for the difference between such amounts, although there can be no assurance as
to whether or not such exercises will occur, the amount of any deductions or
the Company's ability to fully utilize such tax deductions.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The response to this item is submitted in a separate section of this
report.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.


15


18

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to
information under the caption "Proposal 1--Election of Directors" and to the
information under the caption "Section 16(a) Reporting Delinquencies" in the
Company's definitive Proxy Statement ( the "1997 Proxy Statement") for its
annual meeting of shareholders to be held on February 21, 1997. The 1997 Proxy
Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") not later than 120 days subsequent to September 30, 1996.

Pursuant to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K, the information required by
this item with respect to executive officers of the Company is set forth in
Part I of this report.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the 1997 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the Commission
not later than 120 days subsequent to September 30, 1996.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the 1997 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the Commission
not later than 120 days subsequent to September 30, 1996.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the 1997 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the Commission
not later than 120 days subsequent to September 30, 1996.

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(A)(1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



ITEM PAGE
- ---- ----

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE YEARS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996:
Report of Independent Accountants......................................... F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 1996 and 1995.............. F-3
Consolidated Statement of Income for the Three Years Ended
September 30, 1996...................................................... F-4
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Years Ended
September 30, 1996...................................................... F-5
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity for the Three
Years Ended September 30, 1996.......................................... F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................ F-7


(A)(2) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

All schedules and other statements for which provision is made in the
applicable regulations of the Commission have been omitted because they are not
required under the relevant instructions or are inapplicable.

(A)(3) EXHIBITS




Exhibit Number Description
- -------------- -----------

*3.1 Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the
Company (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company Registration
Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-97606, and
incorporated herein by reference).

*3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended (filed
as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-1, Registration No. 33-97606, and incorporated herein by
reference).



16


19



Exhibit Number Description
- -------------- -----------

*10.1 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No.
33-97606, and incorporated herein by reference).

*10.2 1995 Non-employee Director Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit
10.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1,
Registration No. 33-97606, and incorporated herein by
reference).

*10.3 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No.
33-97606, and incorporated herein by reference).

*10.4 Shareholders' Agreement dated as of October 1, 1994 among the
Company and Messrs. Crane, Swannie, Seckel and Roberts (filed
as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-1, Registration No. 33-97606, and incorporated herein
by reference).

*10.5 Form of Indemnification Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration
No. 33-97606, and incorporated herein by reference).

*10.6 Credit Agreement dated as of October 18, 1995 between the
Company and NationsBank of Texas, N.A. (filed as Exhibit 10.8
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1,
Registration No. 33-97606, and incorporated herein by
reference).

10.7 Employment Agreement dated as of October 1, 1996 between the
Company and James R. Crane.

10.8 Employment Agreement dated as of October 1, 1996 between the
Company and Douglas A. Seckel.

10.9 Employment Agreement dated as of October 1, 1996 between the
Company and Donald P. Roberts.

11.1 Computation of Per Share Earnings

*21.1 Subsidiaries of the Company (filed as Exhibit 21 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No.
33-97606, and incorporated herein by reference).

23.1 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP

27.1 Financial Data Schedule


- ---------------

* Incorporated by reference as indicated.


(B) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the last quarter of the
period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



17


20

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: December 18, 1996

EAGLE USA AIRFREIGHT, INC.


By: /s/ Douglas A. Seckel
--------------------------------
Douglas A. Seckel
Chief Financial Officer,
Secretary and Treasurer


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.




Name Capacity Date
---- -------- ----

/s/ James R. Crane Chairman, President and Chief December 18, 1996
- ------------------------- Executive Officer
James R. Crane (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Donald P. Roberts Chief Marketing Officer and Director December 18, 1996
- -------------------------
Donald P. Roberts

/s/ Douglas A. Seckel Chief Financial Officer, Secretary December 18, 1996
- ------------------------- and Treasurer and Director (Principal
Douglas A. Seckel Financial and Accounting Officer)

/s/ Daniel S. Swannie Director December 18, 1996
- -------------------------
Daniel S. Swannie


/s/ Neil E. Kelley Director December 18, 1996
- -------------------------
Neil E. Kelley

/s/ William P. O'Connell Director December 18, 1996
- -------------------------
William P. O'Connell

/s/ Frank J. Hevrdejs Director December 18, 1996
- -------------------------
Frank J. Hevrdejs



18


21
EAGLE USA AIRFREIGHT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, 1995 AND 1994



22


EAGLE USA AIRFREIGHT, INC.


INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS





Page
----

Report of Independent Accountants......................................... F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 1996 and 1995.............. F-3

Consolidated Statement of Income for the Three Years Ended
September 30, 1996...................................................... F-4

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Years
Ended September 30, 1996................................................ F-5

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity for the Three Years
Ended September 30, 1996................................................ F-6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................ F-7





F-1
23


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Eagle USA Airfreight, Inc.


In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and the related
consolidated statements of income, of cash flows and of shareholders' equity
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Eagle USA
Airfreight, Inc. and its subsidiaries at September 30, 1996 and 1995, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended September 30, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these
statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.





PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Houston, Texas
November 22, 1996





F-2
24
EAGLE USA AIRFREIGHT, INC.


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET





September 30,
----------------------
1996 1995
--------- --------
Assets (in thousands, except par values)


Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 26,696 $ 179
Short-term investments 3,409 1,927
Accounts receivable - trade, net of allowance for doubtful
accounts of $363 and $461, respectively 30,379 17,394
Prepaid expenses and other 2,290 1,647
--------- --------
Total current assets 62,774 21,147
Property and equipment, net 8,333 2,171
Other assets 622 1,150
--------- --------

$ 71,729 $ 24,468
========= ========
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable - trade $ 2,459 $ 950
Accrued transportation costs 10,818 7,304
Accrued compensation and employee benefits 6,821 4,573
Other accrued liabilities 1,189 1,355
Current portion of long-term indebtedness 113
--------- --------
Total current liabilities 21,287 14,295
--------- --------
Long-term indebtedness (including related party
amounts of $8,209 in 1995) 8,474
--------- --------
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000 shares authorized
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 30,000 shares authorized,
17,492 and 6,000 shares issued and outstanding (Note 9) 17 6
Additional paid-in capital 39,124 108
Retained earnings 11,301 1,585
--------- --------
50,442 1,699
--------- --------
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
--------- --------
$ 71,729 $ 24,468
========= ========




The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.
F-3



25


EAGLE USA AIRFREIGHT, INC.


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME




Year ended September 30,
-----------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
(in thousands, except per share data)


Revenues $ 185,445 $ 126,214 $ 83,276
Cost of transportation 103,312 72,366 49,764
------------ ------------- ------------
82,133 53,848 33,512
------------ ------------- ------------
Operating expenses:
Personnel costs 41,619 27,939 19,165
Other selling, general and administrative
expenses 22,665 13,704 8,461
------------ ------------- ------------
64,284 41,643 27,626
------------ ------------- ------------
Operating income 17,849 12,205 5,886
Interest income 1,079 335 81
Interest expense (145) (16) (5)
------------ ------------- ------------
Income before provision for income taxes 18,783 12,524 5,962
Provision for income taxes 6,357 1,335 492
------------ ------------- ------------

Net income $ 12,426 $ 11,189 $ 5,470
============ ============= ============

Pro forma information:
Net - income as reported $ 12,426 $ 11,189 $ 5,470
Pro forma charge in lieu of income
taxes (Note 4) 945 3,682 1,916
------------ ------------- ------------

Pro forma net income $ 11,481 $ 7,507 $ 3,554
============ ============= ============

Weighted average common shares
outstanding 17,521 14,782
============ =============

Pro forma net income per share (Note 1) $ 0.66 $ 0.51
============ =============




The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.
F-4
26
EAGLE USA AIRFREIGHT, INC.


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS



Year ended September 30,
-----------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
--------- --------- ---------
(in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash received from customers $ 172,461 $ 121,914 $ 77,901
Cash paid to carriers, suppliers and
employees (158,483) (112,471) (73,259)
Interest received 968 284 81
Interest paid (145) (16) (5)
Income taxes paid (3,954) (1,150) (358)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities 10,847 8,561 4,360
--------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of investments (27,714) (10,324) (1,781)
Maturity of investments 26,232 10,056 123
Acquisition of property and equipment (7,189) (1,703) (830)
Disposition of property and equipment 72 7 10
Acquisition of subsidiaries (Note 7) (139)
Increase in other assets (300)
Advances to affiliates (737)
Advances to shareholders and employees (67) (684)
Repayments from affiliates 737 563
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used by investing activities (8,229) (2,961) (2,478)
--------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on indebtedness (2,178) (277) (61)
Proceeds from indebtedness 1,800 613
Issuance of common stock, net of related costs 34,559
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 628
Payments on shareholder distribution notes (8,209)
Distributions to shareholders (2,701) (6,420) (2,471)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash (used) provided by
financing activities 23,899 (6,084) (2,532)
--------- --------- ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents 26,517 (484) (650)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 179 663 1,313
--------- --------- ---------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $ 26,696 $ 179 $ 663
========= ========= =========






The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.
F-5
27
EAGLE USA AIRFREIGHT, INC.


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS)







Common stock Additional
----------------- paid-in Retained
Shares Amount capital earnings Total
------ ------ ---------- -------- -----

Balance at September 30, 1993 6,000 $ 6 $ 2,026 $ 2,032
Distributions to shareholder (2,471) (2,471)
Net income 5,470 5,470
------ ------- -------- ------- -------
Balance at September 30, 1994 6,000 6 5,025 5,031
Distributions to shareholder (6,420) (6,420)
Special distribution (8,209) (8,209)
Combination of principal
shareholder's interest in
the Company's majority-
owned subsidiaries $ 108 108
Net income 11,189 11,189
------ ------- -------- ------- -------
Balance at September 30, 1995 6,000 6 108 1,585 1,699
Issuance of common stock to
majority shareholder for
acquisition of subsidiaries
(Note 7) 223
Issuance of common stock,
net of related costs (Note 5) 2,300 2 34,557 34,559
Distributions to shareholders (2,701) (2,701)
Conversion from S Corporation
to C Corporation (Note 4) 457 457
Exercise of stock options 296 628 628
Tax benefit from exercise
of stock options 3,374 3,374
Two-for-one stock split
(issuance of 8,673 shares
of common stock) (Note 9) 8,673 9 (9)
Net income 12,426 12,426
------ ------- -------- ------- -------

Balance at September 30, 1996 17,492 $ 17 $ 39,124 $11,301 $50,442
====== ======= ======== ======= =======





The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.
F-6
28
EAGLE USA AIRFREIGHT, INC.


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PAR VALUES AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)



NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION, OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES:

Eagle USA Airfreight, Inc. (the Company) was organized in 1984 to provide
ground and air freight forwarding services. The Company maintains operating
facilities throughout the United States. The Company operates in one principal
industry segment.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Eagle USA
Airfreight, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany
transactions have been eliminated.

Revenue and expense recognition

Revenues and expenses related to the transportation of freight are recognized
at the time the freight departs the terminal of origin. This method
approximates recognizing revenues and expenses when the shipment is completed.

Short-term investments

The Company had short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills with a carrying
value of $1,927 at September 30, 1995. At September 30, 1996, the Company had
short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills and Tax Exempt Municipal Bonds
with a carrying value of $3,409. Securities with a carrying value of $3,229 at
September 30, 1996 mature in less than one year, securities with a carrying
value of $180 mature within three years. Such investments are "available for
sale", since the Company has the intent to utilize the funds as needed. The
investments are stated at amortized cost, which approximated market.
Accordingly, no unrealized holding gains or losses have been recorded by the
Company as of September 30, 1996. The Company's short-term investments in U.S.
Treasury Bills at September 30, 1995 matured during fiscal 1996 with no gain or
loss recognized.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost. Property and equipment is depreciated
using the straight line method over its estimated useful life. Assets subject
to capital leases are amortized using the straight line method over the terms
of the leases or the lives of the assets, if shorter.



F-7
29
Income taxes

The provision for income taxes is computed based upon the pretax income
included in the consolidated statement of income. The asset and liability
approach is used to recognize deferred tax liabilities and assets for the
expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying
amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities.

Prior to the Company's initial public offering, the Company had elected to be
treated as an S Corporation for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, all
income tax liability was the responsibility of the shareholders. As certain
states do not recognize S Corporation status, the Company remained subject to
income taxation in those jurisdictions. Effective December 4, 1995, the
Company's S Corporation status was terminated and the Company became liable for
federal and state income taxes since that date.

Cash equivalents

For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers all highly
liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash
equivalents. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates market
value.

Accounting for stock-based compensation

The Company has not elected early adoption of Financial Accounting Standard No.
123 (FAS 123), "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation". FAS 123 will be
adopted and implemented by the Company effective October 1, 1996, and will not
have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or
operating results. Upon adoption of FAS 123, the Company will continue to
measure compensation expense for its stock-based employee compensation plans
using the intrinsic-value method prescribed by APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting
for Stock Issued to Employees", and will provide pro forma disclosures of net
income and earnings per share as if the fair value-based method prescribed by
FAS 123 had been applied in measuring compensation expense.

Impairment of assets

The Company has not elected early adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standard No. 121 (FAS 121), "Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and
for Assets to be Disposed Of ". FAS 121 will be adopted and implemented by the
Company effective October 1, 1996. The Company does not believe that the
adoption of FAS 121 will have a material effect on the Company's financial
position or results of operations.




F-8
30
Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying
notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Pro forma net income per share

Pro forma net income per share is computed by using the weighted average number
of common and common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period.
Common stock equivalents include the number of shares issuable upon exercise of
stock options less the number of shares that could have been repurchased with
the exercise proceeds and related tax benefits using the treasury stock method.

For purposes of the pro forma net income per share computation, the two-for-one
stock split and the shares issued to the Company's Chairman of the Board in
connection with the acquisition of his interests in the Company's subsidiaries
have been treated as if they had been effective and outstanding as of the
beginning of each period presented.

The number of shares used in the computation were determined as follows:



Year ended
September 30,
--------------
1996 1995
---- ----

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 16,234 12,000
Common stock equivalents 939 1,243
Effect of shares issued to the Company's Chairman of the Board 82 446
Number of shares sold by the Company that would have been
necessary to fund pre-IPO S Corporation distributions 266 1,093
------ ------

17,521 14,782
====== ======



Historical earnings per share is not provided for any of the periods presented
as such inclusion is not considered to be meaningful.

Concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentration of
credit risk consist principally of investments and trade receivables. The
Company places its temporary cash investments in short-term federal government
securities which are guaranteed by the U.S.
government and tax-exempt municipal bonds.




F-9

31
The Company provides services to customers in diverse industries located
primarily in the United States. All sales are denominated in the U.S. dollar.
Management believes that concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade
receivables are limited due to the large number of customers comprising the
Company's customer base and their dispersion across many different industries
and geographic regions. One customer accounted for approximately 13.5% of
revenue in fiscal 1995. No customer represented 10% or more of revenues during
fiscal 1996. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers
to minimize credit risk.

NOTE 2 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:

Property and equipment consist of the following at September 30:



Estimated
useful lives 1996 1995
------------ ---- ----

Computer equipment, software and
other equipment 5-7 years $ 7,000 $ 2,504
Vehicles 3-5 years 1,897 531
Furniture and fixtures 5-7 years 679 442
Land 731
Leasehold improvements lease terms 706 350
-------- --------
11,013 3,827
Less - accumulated depreciation
and amortization (2,680) (1,656)
-------- --------

$ 8,333 $ 2,171
======== ========


Computer equipment and software includes $2,594 at September 30, 1996 related
to new information systems for which depreciation and amortization are expected
to begin in December 1996.

NOTE 3 - LONG-TERM DEBT:

As of September 30, 1996, the Company had no indebtedness outstanding.
Indebtedness was comprised of the following at September 30, 1995:



Special distribution note to shareholders, interest at 7 1/2%,
paid in December 1995 $8,209

Equipment note payable to a bank, interest is payable at
prime, secured by equipment, paid in December 1995 363

Other 15
------
8,587
Less - current portion 113
------

$8,474
======



F-10
32

On October 18, 1995 the Company obtained a $10,000 revolving line of credit
facility from a bank. The facility bears interest at variable rates tied to a
bank LIBOR rate, matures in January 1998 and is secured by accounts receivable.
The Company may borrow up to 80% of eligible accounts receivable, must maintain
certain financial ratios and may not declare dividends in excess of 25% of
cumulative net worth generated subsequent to the Company's initial public
offering. The facility is guaranteed by certain of the Company's subsidiaries.
During fiscal year 1996, the Company borrowed $1,800 pursuant to such facility.
A portion of the proceeds from the initial public offering were used to repay
this indebtedness. No amount is outstanding under the facility at September 30,
1996.

NOTE 4 - INCOME TAXES:

Effective October 1, 1992, the Company elected to be treated as an S
Corporation for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, no federal income tax
expense was recorded for the Company for the years ended September 30, 1994 and
1995 because operating results are reported in the individual income tax
returns of the shareholders. As certain states do not recognize S Corporation
status, the Company was subject to income taxation in those jurisdictions. The
federal income tax expense recorded in the year ended September 30, 1995
relates to the separate company income generated by the Company's subsidiaries,
which are all C Corporations for federal income tax purposes. The Company
became a C Corporation in December 1995 as a result of the public offering.

The Company's income tax provision was comprised of the following for the years
ended September 30:



1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----

Current:
State $ 1,152 $ 941 $ 492
Federal 5,129 468
------- ------- -------
6,281 1,409 492
------- ------- -------
Deferred:
State 11 (67)
Federal 65 (7)
------- ------- -------
76 (74)
------- ------- -------

Total $ 6,357 $ 1,335 $ 492
======= ======= =======






F-11
33

A reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate and the Company's provision
for income taxes is as follows for the years ended September 30:



1996 1995 1994
----- ---- ----

Income taxes at the federal
statutory rate $ 6,386 $ 4,258 $ 2,027
Tax exempt income (130)
Nondeductible items 245 216 56
State income taxes 1,163 874 492
S Corporation taxation benefit (1,307) (4,013) (2,083)
------- ------- -------

Provision for income taxes $ 6,357 $ 1,335 $ 492
======= ======= =======



Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of September 30, 1996 and 1995 were
comprised of the following:



1996 1995
---- ----

Assets:
Bad debt expense $ 150 $ 28
Amortization 34 7
Accruals and other 414 39
-------- -------
598 74
-------- -------
Liabilities:
Depreciation (141)
-------- -------
(141)
-------- -------
$ 457 $ 74
======== =======



Shortly prior to the consummation of the Company's initial public offering in
December 1995, the Company's S Corporation status was terminated. Accordingly,
the Company became liable for federal income taxes on taxable income generated
prospectively from cumulative temporary differences between income for
financial and tax reporting purposes at the date of the termination. At that
time, the Company recorded a net deferred tax asset and a credit to additional
paid-in capital to recognize the effects under FAS 109 of its conversion to C
Corporation status. The Company has agreed to indemnify its shareholders for
any potential losses with respect to additional taxes (including interest,
penalties and legal fees) resulting from the Company's operations during
periods in which it was an S Corporation.




F-12



34



NOTE 5 - PUBLIC OFFERING:

On December 6, 1995, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of
2,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $16.50 per share. In
connection with the offering, the underwriters fully exercised an
over-allotment option of 300 shares. Proceeds to the Company after deducting
underwriting discounts, commissions and offering costs were approximately
$34,559. Such proceeds have and may continue to be used for general corporate
purposes, including acquisitions and working capital.

NOTE 6 - BENEFIT PLANS AND STOCK PLANS:

Defined Contribution Plans

The Company maintains a 401(K) profit sharing plan for its employees. During
fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, the Company elected to match employee contributions
up to 5% of compensation. In addition, the Company has agreed to permit
employees to contribute certain bonuses, up to the maximum allowable, to their
401(K) accounts. Such employee contributions, if made, are also matched by the
Company. During fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994 the Company made contributions of
$970, $513 and $292, respectively.

The Company also sponsored a defined contribution money purchase plan. The
Company's contribution was an amount equal to 4.3% of each participant's annual
compensation in addition to 4.3% of compensation in excess of the social
security wage base. During fiscal 1994, the Company contributed $570 to the
money purchase plan. The Company elected to discontinue its defined
contribution money purchase plan effective October 1, 1994.

Stock Option Plans

In September 1994, the Board adopted the Eagle USA Airfreight, Inc. 1994
Long-Term Incentive Plan (the 1994 Plan) whereby certain employees may be
granted options, appreciation rights or awards related to the Company's common
stock.

Each option has been granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market
value of the common stock on the date of grant. The options generally vest
ratably over a five-year or seven-year period from the date of issuance (or
100% upon death). The Company has no obligation to repurchase the options
granted. Vested options terminate seven years from the date of grant.

Additional awards may be granted under the 1994 Plan in the form of cash, stock
or stock appreciation rights. The stock appreciation right awards may consist
of the right to receive payment in cash or common stock. Any award may be
subject to certain conditions, including continuous service with the Company or
achievement of certain business objectives.

On September 29, 1995, the Board adopted the Eagle USA Airfreight, Inc. 1995
Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan (the Director Plan), whereby the Company
may grant stock options to purchase up to 200 shares of common stock to its
nonemployee directors at the fair market price on



F-13
35


the date of grant. The Board has authorized 3,100 shares to be available for
grant pursuant to the 1994 Plan.

As of September 30, 1996, options to purchase 2,193 shares of common stock of
the Company under both plans were outstanding as follows:


Exercise
price
Options per share
------- -----------

Granted September 1994 895 $ 2.50
--------

Outstanding at September 30, 1994 895 2.50
Forfeited during 1995 (55) 2.50
Granted during 1995 5 8.00
--------

Outstanding at September 30, 1995 845 2.50 - 8.00

Granted prior to stock split 535 16.50 - 37.50
Effect of stock split (Note 9) 1,237 1.25 - 18.75
Granted 22 19.25 - 20.25
Forfeited (149) 1.25
Exercised (297) 1.25 - 8.25
--------
Outstanding at September 30, 1996 2,193 1.25 - 20.25
========

Shares available for grant at end of year 467
========

Options vested at end of year 234
========


The two-for-one stock split resulted in the issuance of an additional option
for each one outstanding and a 50% reduction in the exercise price for all
outstanding options (Note 9).

NOTE 7 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

Effective, October 1, 1994, the Company acquired 50% of the common stock of
Eagle Freight Services, Inc. (EFS), formerly C&D Freight Services, Inc., and
C&D Freight Services of California, Inc. (C&D) for an aggregate purchase price
of $250 in cash. Effective January 1, 1995, the Company acquired 50% of
Freight Services Management, Inc. (FSMI) for a nominal amount. The acquisitions
were accounted for as purchases. Shortly before the closing of the initial
public offering in December 1995, the Company acquired the remaining 50% of
EFS, C&D and FSMI from the principal shareholder. The operating results of such
subsidiaries have been consolidated with the Company since October 1, 1994 as
if the Company owned 100% of these entities. The Company's results of
operations for fiscal 1994 would not have varied materially from actual results
had the subsidiaries been consolidated during fiscal 1994. EFS and C&D provide
same-day local delivery and distribution management services. FSMI provides
outsourcing of logistics and delivery management services to certain customers
of the Company.



F-14
36
During fiscal 1995, the Company and its principal shareholder formed Eagle USA
Transportation Services, Inc. (ETSI), to provide truck brokerage services
principally to the Company, and Eagle USA Import Brokers, Inc. (EIBI), to
provide certain customs brokerage services in connection with the Company's
international shipments. The Company owned 70% of ETSI and EIBI while the
Company's principal shareholder owned the remaining 30% interests. Effective as
of the dates of formation of ETSI and EIBI, the Company's consolidated accounts
include the accounts of ETSI and EIBI as if they were wholly owned since the
Company controls ETSI and EIBI. The Company acquired the remaining 30%
interests of ETSI and EIBI from the principal shareholder shortly before the
closing of the initial public offering of common stock, in exchange for shares
of common stock of the Company.

The Company issued 223 pre-split shares of common stock to its principal
shareholder to affect 100% ownership of these subsidiaries.

The Company was provided computer services by an affiliate during fiscal 1994.
The cost of these services was $166 during the fiscal year ended 1994. The
affiliate became inactive during fiscal 1994. During fiscal 1994, the Company
recognized expense of $2,666, for ground transportation and local pickup and
delivery services provided by C&D Freight Services, Inc.

On October 1, 1994, the Company's principal shareholder sold a portion of his
shares of the Company to certain officers of the Company.

The Company leases an aircraft owned by an entity that is 50% owned by the
principal shareholder (100% owned in 1995) at a rate of $1.4 per hour for
actual usage. Total lease expense during fiscal 1996 and 1995 related to the
aircraft was $72 and $77, respectively.

NOTE 8 - LEASES:

The Company has a number of operating lease agreements, principally for office
space and freight operation facilities. These leases are noncancelable and
expire on various dates through 2002. Following is a summary of future minimum
rental payments required under the operating leases that have initial or
remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year:




Year ended
September 30,
-------------

1997 $ 3,663
1998 3,114
1999 2,095
2000 1,252
Thereafter 742
-------

$10,866
=======





F-15
37
Rent expense under all noncancelable operating leases during 1996, 1995 and
1994 was $3,062, $1,877 and $1,246, respectively.

NOTE 9 - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:

On September 29, 1995, the Company's shareholders authorized the issuance of up
to 10,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par $0.001. No shares have been issued.
The shareholders also authorized an increase in the number of common shares to
30,000 common shares.

On July 8, 1996, the Board authorized a two-for-one stock split, effected in
the form of a stock dividend, payable August 1, 1996 to shareholders of record
on July 24, 1996. All references in the financial statements to earnings per
share information have been retroactively restated to reflect the split. The
stock split resulted in the issuance of approximately 8,673 new shares of
common stock and a reclassification of $9 from retained earnings to common
stock representing the par value of the shares issued.

As of September 30, 1996, the Company had outstanding nonqualified stock
options to purchase an aggregate of 2,193 shares of common stock at exercise
prices equal to the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the
dates of grant (prices ranging from $1.25 to $20.25 per share). At the time a
nonqualified stock option is exercised, the Company will generally be entitled
to a deduction for federal and state income tax purposes equal to the
difference between the fair market value of the common stock on the date of
exercise and the option price. As a result of the exercises for the year ended
September 30, 1996 of nonqualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of
296 shares of common stock, the Company is entitled to a federal income tax
deduction of approximately $8,200. Assuming an effective tax rate of 40%, the
Company realized a tax benefit of approximately $3,373; accordingly, the
Company recorded an increase to additional paid-in capital and a reduction in
current taxes payable pursuant to the provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" (FAS 109). Any
exercises of nonqualified stock options in the future at exercise prices below
the then fair market value of the common stock may also result in tax
deductions equal to the difference between such amounts, although there can be
no assurance as to whether or not such exercises will occur, the amount of any
deductions or the Company's ability to fully utilize such tax deductions.




F-16
38
NOTE 10 - STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS:

Following is a reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating
activities for the years ended September 30:


1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----

Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:-
Net income $ 12,426 $ 11,189 $ 5,470
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Provision for bad debts 743 758 479
Depreciation and amortization 1,124 700 383
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) 76 (74)
Change in assets and liabilities, net:
Trade accounts receivable (13,727) (5,109) (5,629)
Prepaid expenses and other assets (272) (720) (132)
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities 10,477 1,817 3,789
-------- -------- --------

Net cash provided by operating
activities $ 10,847 $ 8,561 $ 4,360
======== ======== ========



Supplemental information on noncash investing and financing activities:

A note receivable from shareholder of $220 was reduced through a shareholder
distribution in fiscal 1994.

Dividends of $8,209 were declared in fiscal 1995 in the form of Special
Distribution Notes.

The exercise of employee stock options resulted in a reduction of the
Company's tax liability and an increase in its additional paid-in capital of
$3,374.

A 2-for-1 stock split was paid on August 1, 1996 and resulted in a charge of
$9 to common stock and retained earnings.

The conversion from S Corporation resulted in the establishment of $457 of
deferred tax asset and an increase in additional paid-in capital.




F-17
39
NOTE 11 - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED):

The following is a summary of the Company's unaudited quarterly financial
information for the years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995.



Quarter Ended,
--------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, March 31, June 30, September 30,
1995 1996 1996 1996
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------

Revenues $ 40,698 $ 39,051 $ 48,240 $ 57,456
Operating income 4,259 3,330 4,515 5,745
Income before provision for
income taxes 4,291 3,625 4,805 6,062
Pro forma net income (1) 2,543 2,106 3,114 3,718
Pro forma net income per
share (2) 0.16 0.11 0.17 0.20




Quarter Ended,
--------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, March 31, June 30, September 30,
1994 1995 1995 1995
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------

Revenues $ 30,605 $ 28,456 $ 32,547 $ 34,606
Operating income 4,010 2,384 3,050 2,761
Income before provision for
income taxes 4,036 2,427 3,153 2,908
Pro forma net income (1) 2,450 1,422 1,787 1,848
Pro forma net income per
share (2) 0.18 0.10 0.12 0.12



(1) As a result of the initial public offering, Eagle USA's status as an S
Corporation terminated effective December 4, 1995. Pro forma net income
used to compute pro forma net income per share for the first quarter of
fiscal 1996 and for each of the four quarters in fiscal 1995, reflected
the incremental estimated federal tax provision that would have been
reported had Eagle USA been a C-Corporation during these periods. Pro
forma and actual net income do not vary for the last three quarters of
fiscal 1996.

(2) Quarterly pro forma net income per share is computed using the method
outlined in Note 1.



F-18
40
NOTE 12 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

From time to time, the Company is a party to various legal claims and
proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company is not
currently a party to any material litigation and is not aware of any litigation
threatened against it that could have a material effect on its business.

The Company has agreed to indemnify its shareholders for any possible tax
contingencies relating to years during which the Company was an S Corporation.




F-19
41



EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit Number Description
-------------- -----------

*3.1 Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to
the Company Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-97606, and incorporated
herein by reference).

*3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-97606, and incorporated herein by
reference).

*10.1 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Registration Statement
on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-97606, and incorporated herein by reference).

*10.2 1995 Non-employee Director Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-97606, and incorporated herein by
reference).

*10.3 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-1, Registration No. 33-97606, and incorporated herein by reference).

*10.4 Shareholders' Agreement dated as of October 1, 1994 among the Company and Messrs. Crane,
Swannie, Seckel and Roberts (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-1, Registration No. 33-97606, and incorporated herein by reference).

*10.5 Form of Indemnification Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-97606, and incorporated herein by reference).

*10.6 Credit Agreement dated as of October 18, 1995 between the Company and NationsBank of Texas,
N.A. (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration
No. 33-97606, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.7 Employment Agreement dated as of October 1, 1996 between the Company and James R. Crane.

10.8 Employment Agreement dated as of October 1, 1996 between the Company and Douglas A. Seckel.

10.9 Employment Agreement dated as of October 1, 1996 between the Company and Donald P. Roberts.

11.1 Computation of Per Share Earnings

*21.1 Subsidiaries of the Company (filed as Exhibit 21 to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-1, Registration No. 33-97606, and incorporated herein by reference).

23.1 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP

27.1 Financial Data Schedule


- ---------------------------------------
* Incorporated by reference as indicated.