<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF CAPITAL TRUST FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER>               1,000
       
                                                          

<PERIOD-TYPE>                       9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                             DEC-31-1998
 <PERIOD-START>                                               JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                  SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                                             16,420
<SECURITIES>                                                       39,471
<RECEIVABLES>                                                     673,398
<ALLOWANCES>                                                        2,821
<INVENTORY>                                                             0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                   15,511
<PP&E>                                                                795
<DEPRECIATION>                                                        248
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    742,526
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                               7,781
<BONDS>                                                           439,435
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             157,602
 <PREFERRED>                                                            0
<COMMON>                                                           18,214
<OTHER-SE>                                                        119,494
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                      742,526
<SALES>                                                                 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                   53,245
<CGS>                                                                   0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                      31,733
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                        0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                    2,359
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                      0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                    19,153
<INCOME-TAX>                                                        8,312
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                10,841
<DISCONTINUED>                                                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                         0
<CHANGES>                                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                                       10,841
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                        0.47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                        0.35