<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BALANCE
SHEET STATEMENT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH ANNUAL
10-K.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                      10,094,909
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               46,928,974
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,215,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                       2,593,367
<DEPRECIATION>                                 692,557
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             157,698,429
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      137,814,387
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                  1,575,000
<COMMON>                                    14,032,491
<OTHER-SE>                                   4,276,551
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               157,698,429
<SALES>                                     93,630,694
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           104,539,302
<CGS>                                       82,922,840
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               89,055,737
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             8,600,576
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             2,242,292
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,457,619
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              3,862,580
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,545,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,317,580
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .52