<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF DORSEY TRAILERS, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED APRIL 1,
2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-01-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                               7
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,267
<ALLOWANCES>                                       110
<INVENTORY>                                     12,834
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                28,523
<PP&E>                                          18,788
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,731
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  40,249
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           23,375
<BONDS>                                         16,848
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            50
<OTHER-SE>                                      (2,140)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    40,249
<SALES>                                         45,128
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                45,128
<CGS>                                           42,822
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   42,822
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,653
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 501
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    152
<INCOME-TAX>                                        58
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 94
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        94
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.02