<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> ART. 5 FDS FOR 2ND QUARTER 10-Q </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1996 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1996 <CASH> 6,177 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 17,004 <ALLOWANCES> 1,700 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 19,787 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 25,931 <COMMON> 1,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> (10,443) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 19,787 <SALES> 1,253 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,253 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 458 <LOSS-PROVISION> 544 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,056 <INCOME-PRETAX> (804) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (804) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (804) <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0