<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000934665
<NAME> IEC FUNDING CORP.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                               1
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   24,075
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                24,076
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 514,363
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,075
<BONDS>                                        490,287
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                           1
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   514,363
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (49,404)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              49,404
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      0
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                         0
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0