<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF DORSEY TRAILERS, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 29,
1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1996
<CASH>                                           6,415
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,236
<ALLOWANCES>                                       214
<INVENTORY>                                     14,340
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                32,828
<PP&E>                                          16,672
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,079
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  45,844
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           26,369
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            49
<OTHER-SE>                                       7,611
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     7,660
<SALES>                                         79,919
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                79,919
<CGS>                                           79,546
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    4,064
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   427
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 174
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (4,292)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (1,652)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (2,640)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (2,640)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.53)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.53)