Country Wide Transport Services reports first quarter results.

CORONA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 1996--Country Wide Transport Services Inc. (OTC:CWTS) Thursday reported results for the three months ended Sept. 30, 1996, with transportation revenue of $10,547,000, operating income of $64,000, a loss from continuing operations of $96,000 or 2 cents per share, and a net loss of $96,000 or 2 cents per share.

This compares with transportation revenue of $12,950,000, an operating loss of $90,000, a loss from continuing operations of $194,000 or 4 cents per share, and net income of $1,414,000 or 30 cents per share which includes a gain on forgiveness of debt of discontinued operations of $2,370,000 or 50 cents per share for the first quarter of the prior year.

The lower revenue for the quarter reflects the company's efforts to downsize its trucking operation. The improved results from continuing operations are primarily attributable to ongoing cost reduction measures as well as an increase in pricing.

Timothy Lepper, president and chief executive officer of Country Wide Transport Services, commented that "we reduced our loss to the point where we can report an operating income. Our logistics subsidiary continues to be profitable and we are concentrating our efforts in this area.

"Through significant downsizing and reorganization, we have now reached a platform from which to grow our trucking operation. The anticipated merger with Continental American Transportation Inc. will have a positive effect for growth in both segments of our company."

Country Wide Transport Services, through its subsidiary Country Wide Truck Service Inc., provides truckload transportation of temperature controlled commodities throughout the United States and Canada, as well as complete logistics services for its customers through its Vertex Transportation Inc. subsidiary. -0-

                 COUNTRY WIDE TRANSPORT SERVICES INC.
                        FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                             (Unaudited)

                                             Three Months Ended
                                                 Sept. 30,
                                             1996           1995
Transportation revenue                $10,547,000    $12,950,000

Operating income (loss)               $    64,000    $   (90,000)

Loss from continuing operations           (96,000)      (194,000)
Loss from discontinued operations              --       (762,000)
Extraordinary item: Gain on
 forgiveness of debt of discontinued
 operations, net of tax                        --      2,370,000

Net income (loss)                     $   (96,000)     1,414,000

Income (loss) per common share:
  Continuing operations                  (2 cents)      (4 cents)
  Discontinued operations                      --      (16 cents)
  Extraordinary item                           --       50 cents

  Net income (loss)                      (2 cents)      30 cents

Weighted average number of common
 shares outstanding                     4,800,487      4,800,487

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CONTACT: Country Wide Transport Services Inc., Corona

Timothy Lepper, 800/421-2757