<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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           3,880
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  107,339
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,104
<INVENTORY>                                    122,647
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               243,320
<PP&E>                                          49,978
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,405
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 411,015
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          201,297
<BONDS>                                        110,889
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           11,500
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            51
<OTHER-SE>                                      18,861
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   411,015
<SALES>                                        243,444
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               243,444
<CGS>                                          172,616
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  241,250
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   (28)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,497
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (2,275)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (837)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (1,438)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (2,198)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (3,636)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (0.91)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.70)