UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549



                                    FORM 8-K



                                 CURRENT REPORT


                       Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


      Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): September 18, 2001


                             HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                        Commission File Number - 0-15087


          NEVADA                                            93-0926999
(State or other Jurisdiction                           (IRS Employer ID No.)
      of Incorporation)


 2777 HEARTLAND DRIVE, CORALVILLE, IOWA                        52241
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                     (Zip Code)




        Registrant's Telephone Number (including area code) 319/545-2728




                             Heartland Express, Inc.


                                Index to Form 8-K


                                    Contents


Item 1.   Changes in Control of Registrant                               *

Item 2.   Acquisition or Disposition of Assets                           *

Item 3.   Bankruptcy or Receivership                                     *

Item 4.   Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant                  *

Item 5.   Other Events                                                   3

Item 6.   Resignation of Registrant's Directors                          *

Item 7.   Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial
          Information and Exhibits                                       *

Signatures                                                               3

*  No information submitted under this caption.


Item 5.      Other Events

 See Attached Press Release dated September 18, 2001 filed as Exhibit 1 hereto.














                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
                                                       HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.

                                                  BY:  /s/  John P. Cosaert
                                                          JOHN P. COSAERT
                                                           Vice-President
                                                        Finance and Treasurer










                                    EXHIBIT 1



NEWS RELEASE:

FROM:    Heartland Express, Inc.
         2777 Heartland Drive
         Coralville, IA 52241
         NASDAQ Symbol:  HTLD

Release Date:  September 18, 2001 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

           Heartland Express, Inc. Announces Stock Repurchase Program

CORALVILLE,  IOWA - September 18, 2001 - Heartland Express, Inc. (Nasdaq:  HTLD)
announced  today that its board of  directors  has  approved a stock  repurchase
program.  The Company is authorized  to repurchase up to five million  shares in
open  market  or  negotiated   transactions   using   available  cash  and  cash
equivalents.  Any repurchases will depend on market  conditions,  other business
opportunities,  and other factors deemed  relevant.  The purchase program has no
expiration date.

                        For further information contact:

                                 John P. Cosaert
                   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
                             Heartland Express, Inc.
                                 (319) 545-2728