<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS 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-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          59,414
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,147
<ALLOWANCES>                                       379
<INVENTORY>                                      1,511
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                72,393
<PP&E>                                          49,124
<DEPRECIATION>                                  18,752
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 145,233
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           67,868
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           101
<OTHER-SE>                                      48,173
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   145,233
<SALES>                                        122,314
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               122,314
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  103,509
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   689
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,476
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,640
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,390
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,250
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,250
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.80