<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOUND ON PAGES A-3 THROUGH A-5 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR THE 12 MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001052100
<NAME> WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                          60,977
<SECURITIES>                                    90,245
<RECEIVABLES>                                   27,138
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               185,508
<PP&E>                                          41,447
<DEPRECIATION>                                  13,814
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 335,073
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          198,627
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           665
<OTHER-SE>                                     125,678
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   335,073
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               356,657
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  191,289
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                26,797
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,546
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                132,025
<INCOME-TAX>                                    50,258
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             81,767
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    81,767
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.34