<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 15,450
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 29,193
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 176,999
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 222,865
<PP&E> 138,468
<DEPRECIATION> (21,019)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 378,009
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 218,943
<BONDS> 76,058
0
0
<COMMON> 70
<OTHER-SE> 77,591
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 378,009
<SALES> 458,488
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 458,488
<CGS> 382,251
<TOTAL-COSTS> 446,595
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,211
<INCOME-PRETAX> 4,682
<INCOME-TAX> 1,873
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,809
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 2,809
<EPS-BASIC> 0.40
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.40
</TABLE>