HOUSTON, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Eagle USA Airfreight, Inc.
(Nasdaq: EUSA), one of the nation's largest and fastest growing domestic air
freight forwarders, reported today that it has signed a definitive purchase
agreement to acquire the operating assets of Michael Burton Enterprises, Inc.,
a privately held transportation and value-added logistics service provider,
based in Columbus, Ohio.  The Company also expects to close on the acquisition
today.
    "We are enthusiastic about this acquisition, which fits our core domestic
transportation operations and accelerates our growth plans," said
James R. Crane, Eagle USA Airfreight Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
"We expect the acquisition to increase fiscal 1998 revenues by $13 to $15
million.  Michael Burton, sole shareholder of Michael Burton Enterprises, has
been appointed the Director of Columbus Operations for Eagle.  The addition of
Michael Burton and his experienced operations staff will be of strategic
importance in further strengthening our operations in Columbus while adding
new business to our Midwest Region."
    Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Eagle USA has acquired from
Michael Burton Enterprises substantially all of the transportation assets
related to its business located in Ohio.  Eagle USA paid approximately $5.6
million in cash and $1 million of common stock, totaling 33,362 shares.  The
agreement also provides for three contingent payments of up to $1,750,000 each
if certain sales goals are achieved at the Company's Columbus operation.  This
is the first acquisition the Company has made since its initial public
offering in December 1995, in which it raised more than $34 million.
    Eagle USA Airfreight's dedication to providing superior flexibility and
fewer shipping restrictions on a price competitive basis has made it a leading
provider of air freight forwarding and other transportation and logistic
services.  Its network of 59 terminals features state-of-the-art information
systems to maximize cargo management efficiency and customer satisfaction.
The Company's shares are traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"EUSA."
    The statements in this press release regarding expected increases in
annual revenues as a result of the acquisition, accelerated growth plans and
other statements which are not historical facts are forward-looking
statements.  Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but
not limited to, acquisitions-related risks, (such as integration of acquired
business, retention of prior levels of business, retention of employees,
diversion of management attention and unanticipated problems in an
acquisition), competition, general economic conditions and ability to manage
growth and other factors detailed elsewhere in Company filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  Should one more of these risks or
uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect,
actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated.
    Visit us on the World Wide Web at http://www.eagleusa.com.

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