<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE J.H.
HEAFNER COMPANY, INC. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                    YEAR                    YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           6,648                   2,502                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  111,691                  32,209                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,220                     400                       0
<INVENTORY>                                    133,221                  41,530                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               262,659                  79,028                       0
<PP&E>                                          55,652                  35,121                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                  12,850                   9,130                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 430,821                 146,508                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          206,097                  58,446                       0
<BONDS>                                        160,400                  30,130                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           11,353                  11,500                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                            51                      37                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      18,073                   7,622                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   430,821                 146,508                       0
<SALES>                                        713,672                 311,839                 190,535
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               713,672                 311,839                 190,535
<CGS>                                          533,243                 221,060                 158,880
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  702,597                 308,382                 188,540
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (166)                 (1,131)                   (521)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,460                   4,842                   1,465
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (2,219)                   (254)                  1,051
<INCOME-TAX>                                       289                    (240)                    439
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (2,508)                    (14)                    612
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (2,216)                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (4,724)                    (14)                    612
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.78)                   0.00                    0.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.65)                   0.00                    0.09
        

</TABLE>