<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>                             
FORD CREDIT'S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET IS UNCLASSIFIED.  THEREFORE,
THE FOLLOWING TAGES LISTED BELOW ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO FORD CREDIT:  CURRENT
ASSETS AND CURRENT LIABILITIES.  INFORMATION RELATING TO EARNINGS A SHARE IS NOT
PRESENTED BECAUSE FORD CREDIT IS AN INDIRECT WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF FORD
MOTOR COMPANY.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           1,355
<SECURITIES>                                       829
<RECEIVABLES>                                   78,747
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 120,999
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                         99,991
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            25
<OTHER-SE>                                       9,795
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   120,999
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                13,105
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   11,724
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,826
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,022
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,876
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,381
<INCOME-TAX>                                       529
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                813
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       813
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0