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                                                                      EXHIBIT 23

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8 Nos. 33-48027, 333-20721 and 333-40317) pertaining to the Employee
Stock Option Plan, the Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors
and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, respectively of our report dated January
19, 2001 with respect to the financial statements and schedule of USA Truck,
Inc. included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31,
2000.


                                                     ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Little Rock, Arkansas
March 13, 2001