<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Caterpillar
Financial Company's first quarter 10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                              26
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     7899
<ALLOWANCES>                                        99
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                             914
<DEPRECIATION>                                     297
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    8757
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                           4508
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           495
<OTHER-SE>                                         467
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      8757
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   222
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       38
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    15
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 106
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     37
<INCOME-TAX>                                        13
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 24
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        24
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0