WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  


<ARTICLE>                                           BD
<LEGEND>
     (Replace this text with the legend)
</LEGEND>
<CIK>  0000083125
<NAME> FIRST MONTAUK FINANCIAL CORP.
<MULTIPLIER>                                        1
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>  3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1996
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .07