<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICREDIT CORP. INCLUDED IN ITS QUARTERLY
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          51,418
<SECURITIES>                                     6,503
<RECEIVABLES>                                  239,973
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (12,173)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          12,476
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (2,658)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 369,882
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        160,536
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           336
<OTHER-SE>                                     186,946
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   369,882
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                59,670
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   21,747
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,231
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,612
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 28,080
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,810
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,270
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,270
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .57