<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF DORSEY TRAILERS, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JANUARY
1, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-28-1997
<CASH>                                              11
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,756
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (183)
<INVENTORY>                                     15,469
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                23,341
<PP&E>                                          17,580
<DEPRECIATION>                                  (8,561)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  38,365
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           23,671
<BONDS>                                         14,801
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            50
<OTHER-SE>                                      (2,857)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    38,365
<SALES>                                         80,993
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                80,993
<CGS>                                           85,025
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   85,025
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,598
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,022
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (8,652)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (200)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (8,452)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (8,452)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (1.70)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (1.70)