<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE HEAFNER TIRE GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-30-2000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> APR-01-2000 <CASH> 11,007 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 101,021 <ALLOWANCES> 2,921 <INVENTORY> 150,400 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 287,613 <PP&E> 67,682 <DEPRECIATION> 19,859 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 461,539 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 205,695 <BONDS> 161,205 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 11,094 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 53 <OTHER-SE> 7,603 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 461,539 <SALES> 254,428 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 254,428 <CGS> 188,747 <TOTAL-COSTS> 253,239 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (577) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,829 <INCOME-PRETAX> (4,063) <INCOME-TAX> (1,152) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (2,911) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (2,911) <EPS-BASIC> (0.55) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.55)