<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CAROLINA FREIGHT CORPORATION FOR THE TWELVE WEEKS ENDED
MARCH 25, 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-25-1995
<CASH>                                          11,706
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   80,587
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,504
<INVENTORY>                                      2,769
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               116,016
<PP&E>                                         492,621
<DEPRECIATION>                                 272,394
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 360,507
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          110,193
<BONDS>                                         66,792
<COMMON>                                         3,281
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      2,211
<OTHER-SE>                                     117,986
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   360,507
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               191,337
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  196,034
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   441
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,415
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (7,356)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (2,510)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (4,846)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (4,846)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.74)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.74)