<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000849116
<NAME> ACE CASH EXPRESS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                          60,168
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,660
<ALLOWANCES>                                       803
<INVENTORY>                                      2,449
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                72,039
<PP&E>                                          42,660
<DEPRECIATION>                                  16,808
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 134,635
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           68,330
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            99
<OTHER-SE>                                      38,852
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   134,635
<SALES>                                        100,194
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               100,194
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   87,121
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    49
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,437
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,587
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,185
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,402
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,402
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.63