<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NORWEST
FINANCIAL INC AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          92,415
<SECURITIES>                                   774,311
<RECEIVABLES>                                5,781,190
<ALLOWANCES>                                   163,532
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F1>
<PP&E>                                         158,598
<DEPRECIATION>                                  91,863
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,433,625
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F1>
<BONDS>                                      5,862,009<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,855
<OTHER-SE>                                     998,826
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,433,625
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               752,438
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               274,453
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                89,836
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             187,407
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                200,742
<INCOME-TAX>                                    71,745
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   128,997
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>NORWEST FINANCIAL INC HAS A NON-CLASSIFIED BALANCE SHEET
SO THIS INFORMATION IS UNAVAILABLE.
<F2>INCLUDES $1.8 BILLION OF SHORT-TERM LOANS
</FN>