Marten Transport Ltd. said it expects to report net income in a range of 5 to 10 cents per diluted share for its fourth quarter ending Dec. 31, 2002.

The company reported net income of 31 cents per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2001.
Randolph L. Marten, president and chairman of the board, said the decline reflects continued pressure on freight rates in the face of rising operating costs.
"We had anticipated some improvement in rates during the quarter, but they have remained essentially flat," Marten said. "At the same time, our operating expenses have continued to rise, particularly insurance and claims expense."
The company expects to release results for the fourth quarter on Jan. 23, 2003.
Marten Transport, Ltd., with headquarters in Mondovi, Wis., is a supplier of time- and temperature-sensitive truckload motor carrier services to customers nationwide. At the end of the third quarter, Marten operated a fleet of 2,087 tractors and 2,731 trailers.