SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-Q


               QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE

                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For quarter ended  June 30, 2003                 Commission File No.   0-15087


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


          Nevada                                               93-0926999
(State or Other Jurisdiction of                               (IRS Employer
Incorporation or Organization)                            Identification Number)


2777 Heartland Drive, Coralville, Iowa                            52241
(Address of Principal Executive Office)                         (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code   (319)  545-2728

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed  by  Section  13 or 15 (d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter  period that the  Registrant
was  required  to file such  reports)  and (2) has been  subject to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes [X]     No  [ ]

Indicate  by check mark  whether  the  registrant  is an  accelerated  filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [X]     No  [ ]

At June 30, 2003,  there were 50,000,000  shares of the Company's $.01 par value
common stock outstanding.












                                     PART I

                              FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                                                                        Page
                                                                       Number
Item 1     Financial Statements (Unaudited)

           Consolidated Balance Sheets
             June 30, 2003 and
             December 31, 2002                                          2 - 3
           Consolidated Statements of Income
             for the Three and Six  Months
             ended June 30, 2003 and 2002                                 4
           Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
             for the Six Months ended
             June 30, 2003 and 2002                                       5
           Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                   6 - 7

Item 2     Management's Discussion and Analysis of
             Financial Condition and Results of
             Operations                                                 7 - 13

Item 3     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
             About Market Risk                                            13

Item 4     Controls and Procedures                                        14

                                     PART II

                                OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1     Legal Proceedings                                              15

Item 2     Changes in Securities                                          15

Item 3     Defaults Upon Senior Securities                                15

Item 4     Submission of Matters to a Vote of                             15
             Security Holders

Item 5     Other Information                                              15

Item 6     Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                               15





                                       1


                            HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS




                  ASSETS                              June 30,      December 31,
                                                        2003           2002
                                                    ------------   ------------
                                                    (Unaudited)

                                                             
CURRENT ASSETS

  Cash and cash equivalents .....................   $107,909,269   $109,397,246

  Investments ...................................     55,556,396     44,464,176

  Trade receivables, less allowance:
  $675,000 and $650,000 .........................     37,477,718     33,012,394

  Prepaid tires .................................      3,820,940      4,757,850

  Deferred income taxes .........................     23,028,000     21,134,000

  Other current assets ..........................      3,510,420        620,344
                                                    ------------   ------------
     Total current assets .......................    231,302,743    213,386,010
                                                    ------------   ------------

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

  Land and land improvements ....................      6,192,820      4,402,820

  Buildings .....................................     13,157,437      8,532,621

  Furniture and fixtures ........................      1,106,173      1,300,848

  Shop and service equipment ....................      1,938,546      1,403,633

  Revenue equipment .............................    200,828,625    175,476,971
                                                    ------------   ------------
                                                     223,223,601    191,116,893

  Less accumulated depreciation .................     48,896,595     39,715,307
                                                    ------------   ------------

  Property and equipment, net ...................    174,327,006    151,401,586

OTHER ASSETS, net ...............................      8,621,190      8,320,593
                                                    ------------   ------------

                                                    $414,250,939   $373,108,189
                                                    ============   ============


The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.

                                       2


                             HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY



                                                     June 30,      December 31,
                                                      2003             2002
                                                 -------------    -------------
                                                   (Unaudited)

                                                            
CURRENT LIABILITIES

  Accounts payable & accrued liabilities .....   $   9,759,451    $   8,632,810

  Compensation and benefits ..................       9,523,081        7,632,766

  Income taxes payable .......................      12,464,206        6,070,318

  Insurance accruals .........................      42,796,127       40,228,160

  Other ......................................       5,090,319        4,525,396
                                                 -------------    -------------

    Total current liabilities ................      79,633,184       67,089,450
                                                 -------------    -------------

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES ........................      34,800,000       30,089,000
                                                 -------------    -------------

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

  Capital Stock:

  Preferred, $.01 par value; authorized
     5,000,000 share; none issued ............            --               --
  Common, $.01 par value; authorized
     395,000,000 shares; issued and
     outstanding 50,000,000 ..................         500,000          500,000

  Additional paid-in capital .................       8,603,762        8,603,762

  Retained earnings ..........................     292,177,427      268,488,971
                                                 -------------    -------------

                                                   301,281,189      277,592,733

  Less unearned compensation .................      (1,463,434)      (1,662,994)
                                                 -------------    -------------

                                                   299,817,755      275,929,739
                                                 -------------    -------------

                                                 $ 414,250,939    $ 373,108,189
                                                 =============    =============


The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.




                                       3




                             HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                  (Unaudited)



                                                          Three months ended                Six months ended
                                                               June 30,                         June 30,

                                                         2003             2002            2003             2002

                                                                                          
OPERATING REVENUE ...............................   $ 102,799,789    $  84,359,840   $ 197,639,524    $ 157,630,082
                                                    -------------    -------------   -------------    -------------
OPERATING EXPENSES:

   Salaries, wages, and benefits ................   $  35,190,604    $  26,315,038   $  67,502,911    $  49,589,663

   Rent and purchased transportation ............      13,151,043       16,738,604      27,104,114       31,663,264

   Operations and maintenance ...................      18,141,646       13,651,365      37,451,826       25,079,284

   Taxes and licenses ...........................       2,125,293        1,689,400       3,998,699        3,296,508

   Insurance and claims .........................       4,164,378        2,895,068       6,535,371        4,737,143

   Communications and utilities .................         923,038          659,332       1,816,883        1,329,326

   Depreciation .................................       6,926,441        4,461,581      12,293,984        8,361,710

   Other operating expenses .....................       3,551,159        1,866,942       6,105,931        3,790,747

   (Gain) loss on disposal of fixed assets ......         (27,110)          99,390         (30,771)         106,006
                                                    -------------    -------------   -------------    -------------
                                                       84,146,492       68,376,720     162,778,948      127,953,651
                                                    -------------    -------------   -------------    -------------
             Operating income ...................      18,653,297       15,983,120      34,860,576       29,676,431

   Interest income ..............................         492,404          722,163       1,031,021        1,480,272
                                                    -------------    -------------   -------------    -------------
      Income before income taxes ................      19,145,701       16,705,283      35,891,597       31,156,703

   Federal and state income taxes ...............       6,509,537        5,679,795      12,203,141       10,593,278
                                                    -------------    -------------   -------------    -------------
      Net income ................................   $  12,636,164       11,025,488   $  23,688,456    $  20,563,425
                                                    =============    =============   =============    =============
   Net income per common share:

       Basic net income per share ...............   $        0.25    $        0.22   $        0.47    $        0.41
                                                    =============    =============   =============    =============
   Basic weighted average shares outstanding ....      50,000,000       50,000,000      50,000,000       50,000,000
                                                    =============    =============   =============    =============


The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.

                                      4


                             HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)



                                                       Six months ended
                                                            June 30,

                                                      2003             2002
                                                 -------------    -------------
                                                            
OPERATING ACTIVITIES

  Net income ................................... $  23,688,456    $  20,563,425
  Adjustments to reconcile
  net income to net cash
  provided by operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization .............    12,303,986        8,363,377
     Deferred income taxes .....................     2,817,000          (17,000)
     Unearned compensation .....................       199,560          133,039
     Gain (loss) on disposal of fixed assets ...       (30,771)         106,006
     Changes in certain working capital items:
        Trade receivables ......................    (4,465,324)      (7,962,258)
        Other current assets ...................    (2,890,076)      (2,085,008)
        Prepaid expenses .......................       936,910          429,030
        Accounts payable and accrued expenses ..     6,419,622        7,107,203
        Accrued income taxes ...................     6,393,888        1,773,890
                                                 -------------    -------------
     Net cash provided by operating activities .    45,373,251       28,411,704
                                                 -------------    -------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Proceeds from sale of property and equipment .        70,936          516,874
  Capital additions ............................   (35,529,345)     (12,540,985)
  Acquisition of business ......................          --        (26,719,495)
  Net maturities (purchases) of municipal bonds    (11,092,220)       3,336,915
  Increase in other assets .....................      (310,599)        (105,285)
                                                 -------------    -------------
  Net cash used in investing activities ........   (46,861,228)     (35,511,976)
                                                 -------------    -------------
  Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents ....    (1,487,977)      (7,100,272)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
  Beginning of period ..........................   109,397,246      120,794,142
                                                 -------------    -------------
  End of period ................................ $ 107,909,269    $ 113,693,870
                                                 =============    =============

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF
CASH FLOW INFORMATION
  Cash paid during the period for:
     Income taxes .............................. $   2,992,253    $   8,836,388
  Noncash investing activities:
     Book value of revenue equipment traded .... $   1,637,232    $   7,398,759


The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.

                                       5





                             HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)

Note 1   Basis of Presentation

     The accompanying  unaudited financial statements of Heartland Express, Inc.
(the  "Company")  have been  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting   principles  for  interim   financial   information   and  with  the
instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X.  Accordingly,  they do not include
all of the information and footnotes required by generally  accepted  accounting
principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management,  all
normal,  recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have
been included.  The financial  statements should be read in conjunction with the
audited  financial  statements  for the year ended December 31, 2002 included in
the Annual  Report on Form 10-K of the  Company  filed with the  Securities  and
Exchange   Commission.   Interim  results  of  operations  are  not  necessarily
indicative  of the results to be expected for the full year or any other interim
periods.  There were no changes to the Company's significant accounting policies
during the quarter.

Note 2   Contingencies

     The Company is involved in certain legal proceedings  arising in the normal
course of  business.  In the  opinion of  management,  the  Company's  potential
exposure  under pending  legal  proceedings  is  adequately  provided for in the
accompanying consolidated financial statements.

     On June 21, 2002 a driver for the Company  was  involved in a multiple  (5)
fatality accident in Knoxville,  TN. Three wrongful death lawsuits were filed in
U.S.  District  Court  for the  Eastern  District  of TN  Northern  Division  in
Knoxville.  The combined relief south in the cases was approximately $65 million
for compensatory damages and $200 million for punitive damages. One of the suits
was dismissed  soon after being filed.  During the second  quarter of 2003,  the
second (4 fatality)  lawsuit was settled for an amount well within the Company's
insurance limits. The third (single fatality) lawsuit was settled during July of
2003, again for an amount well within the Company's  insurance  limits. A fourth
personal injury lawsuit was subsequently filed, which seeks relief in the amount
of $387,500; this case is still active.

Note 3   Segment Information

     The Company has nine operating  divisions;  however, it has determined that
it has one reportable segment. All of the divisions are managed based on similar
economic  characteristics.  Each of the regional  operating  divisions  provides
short to  medium-haul  truckload  carrier  services of general  commodities to a
similar  class  of  customers.  In  addition,  each  division  exhibits  similar
financial  performance,  including average revenue per mile and operating ratio.
As a result of the foregoing,  the Company has determined that it is appropriate
to aggregate its operating divisions into one reportable segment consistent with
the  guidance  in SFAS No.  131.  Accordingly,  the  Company  has not  presented
separate  financial  information  for  each of its  operating  divisions  as the
Company's consolidated financial statements present its one reportable segment.

Note 4   Change in Accounting Estimate

     Effective  April 1,  2003 the  Company  reduced  the  salvage  value on its
trailer  fleet from  $6,000 to $4,000 per  trailer.  This  change in  accounting
estimate  increased  second quarter 2003  depreciation  expense by approximately
$570,000.


                                       6



Note 5   Acquisition

     On June 1, 2002, the Company  acquired the business and trucking  assets of
Great Coastal  Express,  Inc.  ("Great  Coastal"),  a  privately-held  truckload
carrier. Great Coastal had gross revenues of approximately $70.0 million in 2001
and operated approximately 500 company tractors, 125 owner-operators,  and 1,650
trailers at the date of the  acquisition.  The acquired  assets were recorded at
their  estimated  fair  values as of the  acquisition  date in  accordance  with
Financial  Accounting Standards Board statement Number 141 (SFAS 141), "Business
Combinations". Goodwill has been recorded in "Other Assets, net" for the amount,
which the purchase  price  exceeded the fair value of the assets  acquired.  The
acquisition has been accounted for in the Company's  results of operations since
the  acquisition  date. The pro forma effect of the acquisition on the Company's
results of operation is immaterial.

Item 2   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
         and Results of Operations

Forward Looking Information

     Except for certain historical  information contained herein, this Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q  contains  forward-looking  statements  that involve  risks,
assumptions and  uncertainties  which are difficult to predict.  All statements,
other than  statements of historical  fact, are statements  that could be deemed
forward-looking statements,  including any projections of earnings, revenues, or
other financial  items; any statements of plans,  strategies,  and objectives of
management  for  future  operations;   any  statement  concerning  proposed  new
strategies or developments;  any statements regarding future economic conditions
or  performance;  any  statements  of belief and any  statement  of  assumptions
underlying  any of the  foregoing.  Words  such as  "believe,"  "may,"  "could,"
"expects," "anticipates," and "likely," and variations of these words or similar
expressions,  are  intended to identify  such  forward-looking  statements.  The
Company's  actual results could differ  materially  from those  discussed in the
section  entitled  "Factors  That  May  Affect  Future  Results,"   included  in
"Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations" set forth in the Company's  Annual report on Form 10-K,  which is by
this  reference   incorporated   herein.   The  Company  does  not  assume,  and
specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking  statements
contained in this Quarterly report.






                                       7















Results of Operations:

     The following table sets forth the percentage relationship of expense items
to operating revenue for the periods indicated.

                                         Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended
                                             June 30,                June 30,
                                             2003      2002      2003      2002
                                           ------    ------    ------    ------
Operating revenue ......................    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%
                                           ------    ------    ------    ------
Operating expenses:
   Salaries, wages, and benefits .......     34.2%     31.2%     34.2%     31.5%
   Rent and purchased transportation ...     19.9      13.7      20.1      12.8
   Operations and maintenance ..........     17.6      16.2      19.0      15.9
   Taxes and licenses ..................      2.1       2.0       2.0       2.1
   Insurance and claims ................      4.1       3.4       3.3       3.0
   Communications and utilities ........      0.9       0.8       0.9       0.8
   Depreciation ........................      5.3       6.7       5.3       6.2
   Other operating expenses ............      3.5       2.2       3.1       2.4
   (Gain) loss on disposal of fixed
     assets ............................       --       0.1        --       0.1
                                           ------    ------    ------    ------
       Total operating expenses ........    81.9%     81.1%     82.4%     81.2%
                                           ------    ------    ------    ------
          Operating income .............    18.1%     18.9%     17.6%     18.8%
Interest income ........................     0.5       0.9       0.5       0.9
                                           ------    ------    ------    ------
       Income before income taxes ......    18.6%     19.8%     18.1%     19.7%
Federal and state income taxes .........     6.3       6.7       6.1       6.7
                                           ------    ------    ------    ------
          Net income ...................    12.3%     13.1%     12.0%     13.0%
                                           ======    ======    ======    ======

     The following is a discussion of the results of operations of the three and
six month  periods  ended June 30, 2003  compared with the same periods in 2002,
and the changes in financial condition through the second quarter of 2003.

Three Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002

     Operating revenue increased $18.4 million (21.9%), to $102.8 million in the
second  quarter of 2003 from $84.4  million in the second  quarter of 2002.  The
increase in revenue  resulted from additional  business from existing  customers
and the growth of our  customer  base.  Operating  revenue  was also  positively
impacted  by  fuel  surcharges  assessed  to  customers  and the  June  1,  2002
acquisition of Great Coastal Express.  Fuel surcharge  revenue increased to $4.0
million in the second quarter of 2003 from $1.2 million in the second quarter of
2002 due to higher average fuel prices. The acquisition of Great Coastal Express
contributed approximately $9.7 million to second quarter 2003 revenue. Operating
revenue for the second quarter of 2003 increased 18.8% before fuel surcharge.

     Salaries,  wages,  and benefits  increased $8.9 million  (33.7%),  to $35.2
million in the second  quarter of 2003 from $26.3 million in the second  quarter
of 2002. As a percentage of revenue,  salaries,  wages and benefits increased to
34.2% in 2003 from 31.2% in 2002.  These  increases were primarily the result of
increased reliance on employee drivers and a decrease in the percentage of miles
driven by  independent  contractors.  The increase in employee  driver miles was
attributable  to internal growth in the company tractor fleet and to the June 1,
2002  acquisition of Great Coastal  Express.  During the second quarter of 2003,
employee drivers accounted for 82% and independent  contractors 18% of the total
fleet miles, compared with 71% and 29%,  respectively,  in the second quarter of
2002. In addition,  the Company incurred increased health insurance and workers'
compensation  costs due to the increased  frequency and severity of claims,  and
due to increased reliance on employee drivers.


                                       8



     Rent and purchased  transportation decreased $3.6 million (21.4%), to $13.1
million in the second  quarter of 2003 from $16.7 million in the second  quarter
of 2002. As a percentage of revenue, rent and purchased transportation decreased
to 12.8% in the second quarter of 2003 from 19.9% in the second quarter of 2002.
This reflects the Company's  decreased  reliance upon  independent  contractors.
During the 2003 period, the Company reimbursed  independent  contractors for the
higher cost of fuel based on fuel surcharges collected from customers.  Rent and
purchased transportation,  before fuel surcharge,  decreased 24.8% over the same
period in 2002.

     Operations and maintenance  increased $4.5 million (32.9%) to $18.1 million
in the second  quarter of 2003 from $13.6 million in the second quarter of 2002.
As a percentage of revenue, operations and maintenance increased to 17.6% in the
second  quarter of 2003 from  16.2%  during  the  second  quarter  of 2002.  The
increase in operations and  maintenance is primarily  attributable  to increased
fuel costs due to increased  reliance on the  company-owned  tractors and record
high fuel prices experienced in the second quarter of 2003.

     Taxes and licenses  increased $0.4 million (25.8%),  to $2.1 million in the
second  quarter of 2003 from $1.7  million in the second  quarter of 2002.  As a
percentage  of revenue,  taxes and licenses  increased to 2.1% in 2003 from 2.0%
during the second quarter of 2002.

     Insurance and claims increased $1.3 million (43.8%), to $4.2 million in the
second  quarter of 2003 from $2.9  million in the second  quarter of 2002.  As a
percentage  of revenue,  insurance  and claims  increased  to 4.1% in the second
quarter of 2003 from 3.4% in the second quarter of 2002. The Company experienced
higher insurance premiums and an increased self-insurance retention level during
the current  quarter.  In addition,  insurance and claims expense will vary as a
percentage of operating revenue from period to period based on the frequency and
severity  of claims  incurred  in a given  period as well as  changes  in claims
development trends.

     Communications  and  utilities  increased  $0.2  million  (40.0%),  to $0.9
million in the 2003 period from $0.7 million in the 2002 period. As a percentage
of revenue, communications and utilities increased to 0.9% in the second quarter
of  2003  from  0.8% in the  second  quarter  of  2002.  Communications  expense
increased due to fleet growth and the implementation of satellite communications
with independent contractors.

     Depreciation  increased  $2.4 million  (55.2%) to $6.9  million  during the
second  quarter of 2003 from $4.5  million in the second  quarter of 2002.  As a
percentage of revenue,  depreciation  increased to 6.7% in 2003 from 5.3% during
the second  quarter of 2003.  Effective  April 1, 2003 the  Company  reduced the
salvage  value on its  trailer  fleet to  $4,000  from  $6,000  resulting  in an
increase  of  approximately  $570,000  in  trailer  depreciation.  Additionally,
depreciation  increased  because of the growth of our company  owned tractor and
trailer fleet.

     Other  operating  expenses  increased $1.7 million  (90.2%) to $3.6 million
during the second  quarter of 2003 from $1.9 million  during the second  quarter
2002. As a percentage of revenue,  other  operating  expenses  increased to 3.5%
during the second quarter of 2003 from 2.2% in the second quarter of 2002. Other
operating  expenses  consist  primarily of cost  incurred for freight  handling,
highway tolls, driver recruiting expenses, and administrative costs.

     Interest  income  decreased  $0.2  (31.8%)  to $0.5  million  in the second
quarter of 2003 from $0.7 million in the second quarter of 2002. Interest income
earned is primarily  exempt from federal taxes and  therefore  earned at a lower
pre-tax rate.  Interest earned has been  negatively  impacted by Federal Reserve
Bank reductions in short term interest rates.

     The Company's  effective  tax rate was 34.0% for both compared  three month
periods.  Income  taxes have been  provided at the  statutory  federal and state
rates,  adjusted for certain permanent  differences  between financial statement
and income tax reporting.


                                       9



     As a result of the  foregoing,  the Company's  operating  ratio  (operating
expenses as a  percentage  of  operating  revenue)  was 81.9%  during the second
quarter of 2003  compared  with 81.1%  during  the second  quarter of 2002.  Net
income  increased  $1.6  million  (14.6%),  to $12.6  million  during the second
quarter of 2003 from $11.0 million during the second quarter of 2002.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002

     Operating revenue increased $40.0 million (25.4%), to $197.6 million in the
six months  ended June 30,  2003 from  $157.6  million in the 2002  period.  The
Company's operating revenues,  before fuel surcharges,  increased 21.2% over the
compared 2002 period.  Fuel surcharge  revenue increased to $8.3 million for the
six months ended June 30, 2003 from $1.5  million in the  compared  2002 period.
The  revenue  increase  was  primarily  attributable  to  the  expansion  of the
Company's customer base as well as increased volume from existing customers, and
the June 1, 2002 acquisition of Great Coastal Express.  The acquisition of Great
Coastal Express contributed $19.5 million to the 2003 year-to-date revenues.

     Salaries,  wages, and benefits  increased $17.9 million  (36.1%),  to $67.5
million in the six months  ended  June 30,  2003 from $49.6  million in the 2002
period. As a percentage of revenue,  salaries,  wages and benefits  increased to
34.2% in 2003 from 31.5% in 2002.  These  increases  were a result of  increased
reliance on employee  drivers and a  corresponding  decrease in miles  driven by
independent contractors.  The increase in employee driver miles was attributable
to internal growth in the company tractor fleet and the June 1, 2002 acquisition
of Great Coastal Express.  During the first six months of 2003, employee drivers
accounted  for 80% and  independent  contractors  20% of the total fleet  miles,
compared  with 71% and 29%,  respectively,  in the  compared  2002  period.  The
Company also  experienced  an increase in the frequency and severity of workers'
compensation  and health  insurance  claims in  comparison  to the compared 2002
period.

     Rent and purchased  transportation decreased $4.6 million (14.4%), to $27.1
million in the first six months of 2003 from $31.7  million in the 2002  period.
As a percentage of revenue, rent and purchased transportation decreased to 13.7%
in the 2003 period from 20.1% in the  compared  2002 period.  This  reflects the
Company's  decreased  reliance  upon  independent  contractors.  During the 2002
period,  the Company reimbursed  independent  contractors for the higher cost of
fuel based on fuel  surcharges  collected  from  customers.  Rent and  purchased
transportation, before fuel surcharge, decreased 18.9% from the 2002 period.

     Operations and maintenance increased $12.4 million (49.3%) to $37.5 million
in the six months  ended June 30,  2003 from $25.1  million in the 2002  period.
This increase is attributable  to increased  reliance on the Company owned fleet
and record high fuel prices  experienced  in the first six months of 2003.  As a
percentage of revenue, operations and maintenance increased to 19.0% in the 2003
period from 15.9% during the 2002 period .

     Taxes and licenses  increased $0.7 million (21.3%),  to $4.0 million in the
first six months of 2003 from $3.3  million in the compared  2002  period.  As a
percentage of revenue,  taxes and licenses  decreased to 2.0% in the 2003 period
from 2.1% in the 2002 period.  This cost increase is primarily  attributable  to
the growth in fleet miles.

     Insurance and claims increased $1.8 million (38.0%), to $6.5 million in the
first six months of 2003 from $4.7  million in the compared  2002  period.  As a
percentage of revenue, insurance and claims increased to 3.3% in the 2003 period
from 3.0% in the 2002 period.  The Company's  liability  insurance  premiums and
self-insurance  retention level increased  effective April 1, 2003. In addition,
insurance and claims expense will vary as a percentage of operating revenue from
period to period based on the  frequency  and  severity of claims  incurred in a
given period as well as changes in claims development trends.

                                       10




     Communications  and  utilities  increased  $0.5  million  (36.7%),  to $1.8
million in the 2003 period from $1.3 million in 2002 period.  As a percentage of
revenue,  communications and utilities increased to 0.9% in the 2003 period from
0.8% in the 2002  periods.  The  increase is  primarily  the result of increased
fleet growth and the implementation of satellite communications with independent
contractors.

     Depreciation  increased  $4.0 million  (47.0%) to $12.3 million  during the
first six months of 2003 from $8.3  million in the compared  2002  period.  As a
percentage  of revenue,  depreciation  increased to 6.2% in the 2003 period from
5.3% in the 2002 periods.  Depreciation expense increased approximately $570,000
due to the April 1, 2003  reduction of salvage value for the  Company's  trailer
fleet.  Trailer  salvage values were decreased to $4,000 from $6,000  previously
recorded.  In addition,  depreciation expense has increased due to the growth in
the Company's tractor and trailer fleets.

     Other  operating  expenses  increased  2.3 million  (61.1%) to $6.1 million
during the first six months  2003 from $3.8  million  during the  compared  2002
period. As a percentage of revenue,  other operating  expenses increased to 3.1%
in the 2003  period  from 2.4% in the 2002  periods.  Other  operating  expenses
consist  primarily  of  freight  handling,  highway  tolls,  drivers  recruiting
expenses, and administrative costs.

     Interest  income  decreased  $0.5  (30.3%) to $1.0 million in the first six
months of 2003 from $1.5 million in the compared  2002 period.  Interest  income
earned is primarily  exempt from federal taxes and  therefore  earned at a lower
pre-tax  rate.  Interest  earned has been  negatively  impacted  by the  Federal
Reserve Bank reductions in short-term interest rates.

     The  Company's  effective  tax rate is 34.0% for both the six months  ended
June 30, 2003 and 2002. Income taxes have been provided at the statutory federal
and state rates,  adjusted for certain permanent  differences  between financial
statement and income tax reporting.

     As a result of the  foregoing,  the Company's  operating  ratio  (operating
expenses as a percentage  of  operating  revenue) was 82.4% during the first six
months of 2003  compared  with 81.2%  during  the first six months of 2002.  Net
income  increased  $3.1 million  (15.2%),  to $23.7 million during the first six
months of 2003 from $20.6 million during the compared 2002 period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     The growth of the Company's business has required  significant  investments
in new revenue equipment.  Historically the Company has been debt-free,  funding
revenue equipment  purchases with cash flow provided by operations.  The Company
also obtains tractor capacity by utilizing independent contractors,  who provide
a  tractor  and  bear all  associated  operating  and  financing  expenses.  The
Company's  primary  source of liquidity  for the six months ended June 30, 2003,
was net cash provided by operating activities of $45.4 million compared to $28.4
million in the corresponding 2002 period.

     Capital   expenditures  for  property  and  equipment,   primarily  revenue
equipment  net of  trade-ins,  totaled $35.5 million for the first six months of
2003  compared to $12.5  million for the same period in 2002.  In addition,  the
Company  purchased  terminal  locations  in  Columbus,  Ohio and  Olive  Branch,
Mississippi during the first quarter of 2003. The Company purchased the trucking
assets of Great Coastal Express on June 1, 2002 for $26.7 million.

     Management  believes the Company has adequate liquidity to meet its current
and  projected  needs.  The Company will  continue to have  significant  capital
requirements  over the long term  which are  expected  to be funded by cash flow
provided by operations and from cash, cash equivalents, and investments on hand.
The Company ended the quarter with $163.5 million in cash, cash equivalents, and
investments  and no debt.  Based on the  Company's  strong  financial  position,
management believes outside financing could be obtained,  if necessary,  to fund
capital expenditures.

                                       11



Factors That May Affect Future Results

     The  Company's  future  results may be affected by a number of factors over
which the Company has little or no control.  Fuel prices,  insurance  and claims
costs, liability claims,  interest rates, the availability of qualified drivers,
fluctuations  in the resale  value of revenue  equipment,  economic and customer
business cycles and shipping demands are economic factors over which the Company
has little or no control.  Significant  increases or rapid  fluctuations in fuel
prices,  interest rates or insurance and claims costs,  to the extent not offset
by increases in freight rates,  and the resale value of revenue  equipment could
reduce the Company's profitability.

     Weakness in the general  economy,  including a weakness in consumer  demand
for goods and services,  could adversely affect the Company's  customers and the
Company's   growth  and   revenues,   if  customers   reduce  their  demand  for
transportation  services.  Customers  encountering  adverse economic  conditions
represent  a greater  potential  for loss,  and the  Company  may be required to
increase  its reserve for bad debt losses.  Weakness in customer  demand for the
Company's  services or in the general  rate  environment  may also  restrain the
Company's ability to increase rates or obtain fuel surcharges.

Inflation and Fuel Cost

     Most of the  Company's  operating  expenses are  inflation-sensitive,  with
inflation  generally  producing  increased costs of operations.  During the past
three years,  the most  significant  effects of inflation  have been on revenues
equipment  prices  and the  compensation  paid to the  drivers.  Innovations  in
equipment  technology  and comfort have resulted in higher tractor  prices,  and
there has been an  industry-wide  increase  in wages paid to attract  and retain
qualified drivers. The Company historically has limited the effects of inflation
through increases in freight rates and certain cost control efforts. In addition
to inflation,  fluctuations in fuel prices can affect profitability. Most of the
Company's contracts with customers contain fuel surcharge  provisions.  Although
the Company  historically has been able to pass through most long-term increases
in fuel prices and operating  taxes to customers in the form of  surcharges  and
higher  rates,  shorter-term  increases  are not  fully  recovered.  Competitive
conditions   in  the   transportation   industry,   such  as  lower  demand  for
transportation  services,  could  affect the  Company's  ability to obtain  rate
increases or fuel surcharges.

Seasonality

     The nature of the Company's primary traffic (appliances,  automotive parts,
paper  products,  retail  goods,  and  packages  foodstuffs)  causes  it  to  be
distributed  with relative  uniformity  throughout the year.  However,  seasonal
variations during and after the winter holiday season have historically  results
in reduced shipments by several  industries  served. In addition,  the Company's
operating expenses historically have been higher during the winter months due to
increased  operating costs in colder weather and higher fuel  consumption due to
increased engine idling.

New Accounting Standards

     In June 2001,  FASB issued SFAS No. 143  "Accounting  for Asset  Retirement
Obligations."  SFAS No. 143 addresses  accounting and reporting for  obligations
associated with the retirement of tangible  long-lived assets and the associated
asset retirement  costs.  This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning
after June 15, 2002.  The Company  adopted this statement  effective  January 1,
2003.  The  adoption  of  this  SFAS  did  not  have a  material  impact  on its
Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       12






     In April 2002,  FASB issued SFAS No. 145 "Rescission of FASB Statements No.
4, 44, and 64,  Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical  Corrections."
SFAS No. 145 rescinds previous accounting guidance,  with required all gains and
losses from the  extinguishments of debt be classified as an extraordinary item.
Under SFAS No. 145 classification of debt  extinguishments  depends on the facts
and  circumstances  of the  transaction.  The  Company  adopted  this  statement
effective  January 1, 2003.  The  adoption  of this SFAS did not have a material
impact upon its Consolidated Financial Statements as the Company has no debt.

     In July 2002,  FASB issued SFAS No. 146  "Accounting  for Costs  Associated
with Exit or Disposal  Activities." SFAS No. 146 addresses financial  accounting
and  reporting for the costs  associated  with exit or disposal  activities  and
nullifies  EITF Issue No.  94-3,  "Liability  Recognition  for Certain  Employee
Termination  Benefits  and Other  Costs to Exit an Activity  (Including  Certain
Costs  Incurred in a  Restructuring)."  This  statement is effective for exit or
disposal activities  initiated after December 31, 2002. The Company adopted this
statement  effective  January  1,  2003;   however,   the  Company  has  had  no
transactions  to which this statement  would be applicable  during the first six
months of 2003.

     In December  2002,  FASB issued SFAS No. 148  "Accounting  for  Stock-Based
Compensation  -  Transition  and  Disclosure"  which  requires  certain pro form
disclosures.  This statement also amended the transition  provisions of SFAS No.
123.  The  Company  adopted  SFAS No. 123 as  amended by SFAS No. 148  effective
January 1, 2003;  however,  the  Company has had no  transactions  to which this
statement would be applicable during the first six months of 2003.

     In November 2002, FASB issued Interpretation No. 45 "Guarantor's Accounting
and Disclosure  Requirements for Guarantees,  including  Indirect  Guarantees of
Indebtedness  of Others" which requires that guarantor to recognize at inception
of a guarantee,  a liability for the fair value of the obligation  undertaken in
issuing  a  guarantee.  The  Company  has not  guaranteed  the  indebtedness  or
obligations of others.  Therefore,  the adoption of this Interpretation will not
have a material impact upon its Consolidated Financial Statements.

     In January  2003,  FASB  issued  Interpretation  No. 46  "Consolidation  of
Variable Interest Entities" which addresses the consolidation and disclosures of
these  entities  by  business  enterprises.  As the  Company  does  not have any
interest in such types of entities the adoption of this  Interpretation will not
have a material impact upon its Consolidated Financial Statements.

     On May 15, 2003, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board issued SFAS No.
150, "Accounting for Certain Financial  Instruments with Characteristics of Both
Liabilities  and  Equity."  SFAS  No.  150  requires   issuers  to  classify  as
liabilities  (or assets in some  circumstances)  three  classes of  freestanding
financial  instruments that embody obligations for the issuer.  Generally,  SFAS
No. 150 is effective for financial  instruments  entered into or modified  after
May 31, 2003 and is otherwise  effective at the  beginning of the first  interim
period  beginning after June 15, 2003. We adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 150
on July 1, 2003.  We did not enter  into any  financial  instruments  within the
scope of the SFAS No. 150 during June 2003.

Item 3   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     The Company purchases only high quality, liquid investments.  Primarily all
investments as of June 30, 2003 have an original maturity of six months or less.
The Company  holds all  investments  to maturity  and  therefore,  is exposed to
minimal market risk related to its cash equivalents and investments.

     The Company has no debt outstanding as of June 30, 2003 and therefore,  has
no market risk related to debt.

     As of June 30, 2003, the Company has no derivative financial instruments to
reduce its exposure to diesel fuel price fluctuations.


                                       13



Item 4   Controls and Procedures

     As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out
an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's
management,  including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer,  of the  effectiveness  of the design and  operations  of the Company's
disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  and as  defined  in  Exchange  Act  Rule
15d-15(e). Based upon that evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial  Officer  concluded that the Company's  disclosure  controls and
procedures are effective in enabling the Company to record,  process,  summarize
and report  information  required to be included in the  Company's  periodic SEC
filings  within  the  required  time  period.  There have been no changes in the
Company's  internal  controls over financial  reporting that occurred during the
Company's  most  recent  fiscal  quarter  that has  materially  affected,  or is
reasonably  likely to materially  affect,  the Company's  internal  control over
financial reporting.







































                                       14




                                     PART II
                                OTHER INFORMATION

      Item 1   Legal Proceedings
               On June 21,  2002 a driver  for the  company  was  involved  in a
               multiple (5) fatality  accident in Knoxville,  TN. Three wrongful
               death lawsuits were filed in U.S.  District Court for the Eastern
               District  of TN  Northern  Division in  Knoxville.  The  combined
               relief  sought in the cases was  approximately  $65  million  for
               compensatory  damages and $200 million for punitive damages.  One
               of the suits was  dismissed  soon after being  filed.  During the
               second  quarter of 2003,  the  second (4  fatality)  lawsuit  was
               settled for an amount well within the Company's insurance limits.
               The third (single  fatality)  lawsuit was settled  during July of
               2003,  again for an amount  well within the  Company's  insurance
               limits. A fourth personal injury lawsuit was subsequently  filed,
               which seeks relief in the amount of $387,500;  this case is still
               active.

               Additionally,  the  Company  is  a  party  to  ordinary,  routine
               litigation  and  administrative  proceedings  incidental  to  its
               business.  None of the claims would materially  impact net income
               or  financial  position.   These  proceedings  primarily  involve
               personnel  matters  and claims for  personal  injury or  property
               damage  incurred in the  transportation  of freight.  The Company
               maintains   insurance  to  cover  liabilities  arising  from  the
               transportation  of freight for amounts in excess of  self-insured
               retentions.

      Item 2   Changes in Securities
               None

      Item 3   Defaults Upon Senior Securities
               None

      Item 4   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

               The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Heartland Express, Inc. was
               held on May 8, 2003 for the  purpose of electing  five  directors
               for one year terms and to ratify the  selection  of KPMG,  LLP as
               the Company's  independent  public  accountants for 2003. Proxies
               for the meeting were  solicited  pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
               Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and there was no solicitation in
               opposition  to  management's   nominees.   Each  of  management's
               nominees  for  director  as  listed in the  Proxy  Statement  was
               elected  and  KPMG,   LLP  was   appointed   independent   public
               accountants for 2003. Of the 50,000,000  shares entitled to vote,
               stockholders  representing 44,472,472 shares (88.9%) were present
               in person or by proxy.

      Item 5   Other Information
               None

      Item 6   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
               (a) Exhibits  99.1  Certification  Pursuant to 18 U.S.C.  Section
               1350,  as Adopted  Pursuant to Section 906 of the  Sarbanes-Oxley
               Act of 2002.  Exhibit  99.2  Certification  Pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
               Section  1350,  as  Adopted   Pursuant  to  Section  906  of  the
               Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
               (b) Report on Form 8-K,  dated  April 17,  2003,  announcing  the
               Company's financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2003.

No other information is required to be filed under Part II of the form.


                                       15





                                   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.
Dated: August 13, 2003                     By /s/ John P. Cosaert
                                           John P. Cosaert
                                           Executive Vice President-Finance,
                                           Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
                                           (principal accounting and
                                           financial officer)









































                                       16



                            SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION

     I, Russell A. Gerdin,  President and Chief  Executive  Officer of Heartland
Express, Inc., certify that:

1.   I have reviewed this  quarterly  report on Form 10-Q of Heartland  Express,
     Inc.;

2.   Based on my knowledge,  this  quarterly  report does not contain any untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary to
     make the statements  made, in light of the  circumstances  under which such
     statements  were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by
     this quarterly report.

3.   Based on my  knowledge,  the  financial  statements,  and  other  financial
     information  included  in this  quarterly  report,  fairly  present  in all
     material respects the financial  condition,  results of operations and cash
     flows of the  registrant  as of, and for,  the  periods  presented  in this
     quarterly report;

4.   The  registrant's  other  certifying  officer  and  I are  responsible  for
     establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
     in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

     (a)  designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or caused such
          disclosure   controls  and   procedures  to  be  designed   under  our
          supervision,  to ensure  that  material  information  relating  to the
          registrant,  including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to
          us by others within those entities,  particularly during the period in
          which this quarterly report is being prepared.

     (b)  evaluated the  effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure  controls
          and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions  about the
          effectiveness  of the  controls and  procedures,  as of the end of the
          period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

     (c)  disclosed  in this  report  any  change in the  registrant's  internal
          control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's
          most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's  fourth fiscal quarter in
          the case of an annual  report)  that has  materially  affected,  or is
          reasonably  likely to materially  affect,  the  registrant's  internal
          control over financial reporting; and

5.   The registrant's  other certifying  officer and I have disclosed,  based on
     our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to
     the registrant's  auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of
     directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

     (a)  all significant  deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
          operation  of internal  control  over  financial  reporting  which are
          reasonably  likely to  adversely  affect the  registrant's  ability to
          record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

     (b)  any fraud, whether or not material,  that involves management or other
          employees who have a  significant  role in the  registrant's  internal
          controls over financial reporting.


Date: August 13, 2003                      /s/ Russell A. Gerdin
                                           Russell A. Gerdin
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer
                                           (principal executive officer)

                                       17



                            SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION

     I, John P. Cosaert,  Executive Vice President and Chief  Financial  Officer
and Treasurer of Heartland Express, Inc., certify that:

1.   I have reviewed this  quarterly  report on Form 10-Q of Heartland  Express,
     Inc.;

2.   Based on my knowledge,  this  quarterly  report does not contain any untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary to
     make the statements  made, in light of the  circumstances  under which such
     statements  were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by
     this quarterly report.

3.   Based on my  knowledge,  the  financial  statements,  and  other  financial
     information  included  in this  quarterly  report,  fairly  present  in all
     material respects the financial  condition,  results of operations and cash
     flows of the  registrant  as of, and for,  the  periods  presented  in this
     quarterly report;

4.   The  registrant's  other  certifying  officer  and  I are  responsible  for
     establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
     in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

     (a)  designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or caused such
          disclosure   controls  and   procedures  to  be  designed   under  our
          supervision,  to ensure  that  material  information  relating  to the
          registrant,  including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to
          us by others within those entities,  particularly during the period in
          which this quarterly report is being prepared.

     (b)  evaluated the  effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure  controls
          and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions  about the
          effectiveness  of the  controls and  procedures,  as of the end of the
          period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

     (c)  disclosed  in this  report  any  change in the  registrant's  internal
          control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's
          most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's  fourth fiscal quarter in
          the case of an annual  report)  that has  materially  affected,  or is
          reasonability  likely to materially affect, the registrant's  internal
          control over financial reporting; and

5.   The registrant's  other certifying  officer and I have disclosed,  based on
     our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to
     the registrant's  auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of
     directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

     (a)  all significant  deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
          operation  of internal  control  over  financial  reporting  which are
          reasonably  likely to  adversely  affect the  registrant's  ability to
          record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

     (b)  any fraud, whether or not material,  that involves management or other
          employees who have a  significant  role in the  registrant's  internal
          control over financial reporting.


Date: August 13, 2003                      /s/ John P. Cosaert
                                           John P. Cosaert
                                           Executive Vice President-Finance
                                           Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
                                           (principal accounting and
                                           financial officer)

                                       18


                                   Exhibit 99

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


     In connection with the Quarterly Report of Heartland  Express,  Inc. (the "
Company")  on Form 10-Q for the period  ended June 30,  2003,  as filed with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission on the date hereof (the  "Report"),  each of
the  undersigned  certifies,  pursuant  to 18 U.S.C.  Section  1350,  as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act of 2002,  that,  to the best
knowledge of the undersigned:

(1)  The Report fully complies with the  requirements  of Section 13(a) or 15(d)
     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)  The information  contained in the Report fairly  presents,  in all material
     respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

A signed  original of this  written  statement  required by Section 906 has been
provided to Heartland  Express,  Inc. and will be retained by Heartland Express,
Inc. and furnished to the Securities  and Exchange  Commission or its staff upon
request.

Dated:  August 13, 2003                              By:/s/Russell A. Gerdin
                                                     Russell A. Gerdin
                                                     Chairman, President and
                                                     Chief Executive Officer

Dated: August 13, 2003                               By:/s/John P. Cosaert
                                                     John P. Cosaert
                                                     Executive Vice President
                                                     and Chief Financial Officer



                                       19