<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Capstead
Mortgage Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          13,895
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              11,608,003
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        7,046,857
<BONDS>                                      3,682,328
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    211,834
<COMMON>                                           548
<OTHER-SE>                                     666,436
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                11,608,003
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               648,648
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                76,541
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             453,181
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                118,926
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            118,926
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   118,926
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.96
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.78