<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. <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-30-2000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> JUL-01-2000 <CASH> 6,521 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 118,894 <ALLOWANCES> 3,551 <INVENTORY> 176,678 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 337,562 <PP&E> 83,669 <DEPRECIATION> 22,124 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 538,896 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 249,631 <BONDS> 167,376 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 11,094 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 53 <OTHER-SE> 4,648 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 538,896 <SALES> 542,109 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 542,109 <CGS> 406,276 <TOTAL-COSTS> 538,969 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (772) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,976 <INCOME-PRETAX> (8,064) <INCOME-TAX> (2,198) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (5,866) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (5,866) <EPS-BASIC> (1.11) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.11)