<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF CAPITAL TRUST FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000
       
                      
<PERIOD-TYPE>          3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                 DEC-31-1998
 <PERIOD-START>                   JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                      MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                  7,075
<SECURITIES>                           77,090
<RECEIVABLES>                         350,530
<ALLOWANCES>                              942
<INVENTORY>                                 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                       10,984
<PP&E>                                    577
<DEPRECIATION>                            135
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                        445,179
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                   5,098
<BONDS>                               294,205
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                  12,268
 <PREFERRED>                                0
<COMMON>                               18,229
<OTHER-SE>                            115,379
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>          445,179
<SALES>                                     0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                       11,207
<CGS>                                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                           6,474
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          480
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                         4,253
<INCOME-TAX>                            1,580
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                     2,673
<DISCONTINUED>                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                             0
<CHANGES>                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                            2,673
<EPS-PRIMARY>                            0.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                            0.09