<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>

                                  Page - 42
                                 Exhibit (iii)
                            Financial Data Schedule


THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM 12/31/97
INCOME STATEMENT AND BALANCE SHEET AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                                                                          
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                                                               12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                                                      DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                                                           DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                                                                                      36,320
<SECURITIES>                                                                                                     0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                                            4,175,429
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                                               116,588
<INVENTORY>                                                                                                      0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                                                 0
<PP&E>                                                                                                           0
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                                                   0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                                           5,328,340
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                                                    2,402,932
<BONDS>                                                                                                          0
<COMMON>                                                                                                    46,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                                            0
<PREFERRED>                                                                                                      0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                                               1,048,861
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                                             5,328,340
<SALES>                                                                                                          0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                                           778,610
<CGS>                                                                                                            0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                                              225,940
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                                                 0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                                            78,320
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                                         197,234
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                                            277,116
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                                                82,283
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                                        194,833
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                                                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                                                  0
<CHANGES>                                                                                                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                                               194,833
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                                                    0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                                                    0