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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3
 
                          CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our report dated October 31, 1997 (except for Note 13, as to which
the date is January 14, 1998) with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of ITCO Logistics Corporation and subsidiaries included in the
Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related Prospectus of J.H. Heafner
Company, Inc. for the registration of the $100,000,000 10% Senior Notes Due
2008.
 
                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Raleigh, North Carolina
August 17, 1998