<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000934665 <NAME> IEC FUNDING CORP <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 1 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 539,182 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 36,859 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 539,183 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 36,858 <BONDS> 502,324 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 539,183 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 37,186 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 37,186 <INCOME-PRETAX> 0 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 0 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0