<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-2000 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1999 <CASH> 23,814,266 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 215,469,837 <ALLOWANCES> 1,945,074 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 288,512,186 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 242,429,982 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 5,567 <OTHER-SE> 28,640,140 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 288,512,186 <SALES> 19,672,457 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 19,672,457 <CGS> 7,864,683 <TOTAL-COSTS> 7,864,683 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 8,434,107 <LOSS-PROVISION> 3,068,572 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 2,327,288 <INCOME-TAX> 849,460 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,477,828 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,477,828 <EPS-BASIC> 0.27 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.27