<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE J.H.
HEAFNER COMPANY, 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                           6,249
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  114,713
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,115
<INVENTORY>                                    146,268
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               277,491
<PP&E>                                          60,005
<DEPRECIATION>                                  15,042
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 450,792
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          206,034
<BONDS>                                        162,891
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           11,353
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            51
<OTHER-SE>                                      16,851
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   450,792
<SALES>                                        239,804
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               239,804
<CGS>                                          181,580
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  237,143
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (398)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,112
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (2,053)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (860)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (1,193)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (1,193)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.23)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.19)