<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS REPORTED IN THE QUARTERLY REPORT
ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                          89,259
<SECURITIES>                                    61,047
<RECEIVABLES>                                   47,917
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               202,849
<PP&E>                                          49,213
<DEPRECIATION>                                (15,599)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 415,742
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          338,316
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           997
<OTHER-SE>                                      65,311
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   415,742
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               124,742
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   62,640
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   929
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,499
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 58,674
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,548
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             36,126
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    36,126
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.41