<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 JUNE 30, 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                          80,666
<SECURITIES>                                    61,448
<RECEIVABLES>                                   42,242
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               189,031
<PP&E>                                          58,485
<DEPRECIATION>                                  15,867
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 411,540
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          307,132
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           997
<OTHER-SE>                                      90,959
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   411,540
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               133,775
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   72,663
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,523
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,268
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 55,321
<INCOME-TAX>                                    21,611
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             33,710
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    33,710
<EPS-BASIC>                                      $0.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    $0.39