<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                             381
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  135,485
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,796
<INVENTORY>                                    160,101
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               307,379
<PP&E>                                          61,430
<DEPRECIATION>                                  15,066
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 481,910
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          213,369
<BONDS>                                        161,851
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           11,353
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            53
<OTHER-SE>                                      16,646
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   481,910
<SALES>                                        505,845
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               505,845
<CGS>                                          381,387
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  496,145
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (986)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,687
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     (1)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       989
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (990)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (990)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (0.19)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.16)