<ARTICLE>   5
<LEGEND>
ART. 5 FDS FOR 3RD QUARTER 10-Q
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>   1,000
       
                                         
<PERIOD-TYPE>                               9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                JAN-31-1997
<CASH>                                            2,766
<SECURITIES>                                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    20,121
<ALLOWANCES>                                      2,112
<INVENTORY>                                           0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      0
<PP&E>                                               42
<DEPRECIATION>                                       22
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   18,967
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 0
<BONDS>                                          51,162
<COMMON>                                            102
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                           1
<OTHER-SE>                                      (41,014)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     18,967
<SALES>                                           2,743
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  2,743
<CGS>                                                 0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                         0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  2,575
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    939
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                3,925
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (4,696)
<INCOME-TAX>                                          0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (4,696)
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (4,696)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         0