<ARTICLE>                     5
<MULTIPLIER>                  1
<CURRENCY>                    0
<CIK>                         0000799233
<NAME>                        HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                          1
<CASH>                                         101,493,444
<SECURITIES>                                    17,770,292
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,415,457
<ALLOWANCES>                                       429,677
<INVENTORY>                                              0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               164,313,618
<PP&E>                                         130,015,125
<DEPRECIATION>                                  55,995,243
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 244,509,263
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           59,808,759
<BONDS>                                                  0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                           300,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     169,762,504
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   244,509,263
<SALES>                                        136,062,813
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               136,062,813
<CGS>                                                    0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  113,132,921
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 25,113,026
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,789,582
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,323,444
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,323,444
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         0.54
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         0.54