
<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<CIK>                         0000928658
<NAME>                        COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000
<CURRENCY>                    U.S. DOLLARS

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                          1
<CASH>                                                 763
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                       54,739
<ALLOWANCES>                                         1,024
<INVENTORY>                                          2,507
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    67,517
<PP&E>                                             280,062
<DEPRECIATION>                                      77,680
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     276,093
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               24,707
<BONDS>                                             71,594
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                               150
<OTHER-SE>                                         150,574
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       276,093
<SALES>                                                  0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   210,975
<CGS>                                                    0
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   2,525
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     15,317
<INCOME-TAX>                                         6,136
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  9,181
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         9,181
<EPS-BASIC>                                          .62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          .61


</TABLE>
