<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AMERITRUCK
DISTRIBUTION CORP.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                           4,070
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,608
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (482)
<INVENTORY>                                      1,108
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                37,592
<PP&E>                                         124,481
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (27,165)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 176,244
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           20,747
<BONDS>                                        154,324
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            33
<OTHER-SE>                                      (2,434)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   176,244
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                98,322
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   91,375
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,643
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (641)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (287)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (354)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   (230)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (584)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0