<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL INC.
INCLUDED IN PART I ITEM 1 OF THE ACCOMPANYING FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE
PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          57,864
<SECURITIES>                                    87,940
<RECEIVABLES>                                   31,904
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               183,881
<PP&E>                                          36,005
<DEPRECIATION>                                  13,233
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 364,319
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          225,223
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           665
<OTHER-SE>                                     125,582
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   364,319
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               256,447
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  138,114
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,297
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,910
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                112,126
<INCOME-TAX>                                    42,674
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             69,452
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    69,452
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.12