<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> 2,663 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 18,078 <ALLOWANCES> 1,816 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 26,997 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 24,717 <COMMON> 1,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> (2,068) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 26,997 <SALES> 1,871 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,871 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 662 <LOSS-PROVISION> 848 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 995 <INCOME-PRETAX> (633) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (633) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (633) <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0