EXHIBIT 24

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT:

  The undersigned director of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (the "Company")
constitutes and appoints Daniel C. Schulte and William D. Howey, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration
Statement for the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 401(k) and Thrift Plan and any
and all amendments and post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and other documents required in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Power of Attorney in the capacity and
on the date indicated below.
 

                           /s/ David L. Boren
                           ---------------------------
                           David L. Boren
                           Director
                           Date: December 17, 1998

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT:

  The undersigned director of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (the "Company")
constitutes and appoints Daniel C. Schulte and William D. Howey, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration
Statement for the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 401(k) and Thrift Plan and any
and all amendments and post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and other documents required in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Power of Attorney in the capacity and
on the date indicated below.


                           /s/ Joseph M. Farley
                           ---------------------------
                           Joseph M. Farley
                           Director
                           Date: December 14, 1998

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT:

  The undersigned director of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (the "Company")
constitutes and appoints Daniel C. Schulte and William D. Howey, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration
Statement for the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 401(k) and Thrift Plan and any
and all amendments and post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and other documents required in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Power of Attorney in the capacity and
on the date indicated below.


                           /s/ Louis T. Hagopian
                           --------------------------- 
                           Louis T. Hagopian
                           Director
                           Date: December 17, 1998

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT:

  The undersigned director of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (the "Company")
constitutes and appoints Daniel C. Schulte and William D. Howey, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration
Statement for the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 401(k) and Thrift Plan and any
and all amendments and post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and other documents required in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Power of Attorney in the capacity and
on the date indicated below.


                           /s/ William L. Rogers
                           ---------------------------
                           William L. Rogers
                           Director
                           Date: December 17, 1998

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY



KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT:

  The undersigned director of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (the "Company")
constitutes and appoints Daniel C. Schulte and William D. Howey, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration
Statement for the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 401(k) and Thrift Plan and any
and all amendments and post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and other documents required in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Power of Attorney in the capacity and
on the date indicated below.


 
                           /s/ James M. Raines
                           ---------------------------
                           James M. Raines
                           Director
                           Date: December 14, 1998

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY



KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT:

  The undersigned director of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (the "Company")
constitutes and appoints Daniel C. Schulte and William D. Howey, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration
Statement for the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 401(k) and Thrift Plan and any
and all amendments and post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and other documents required in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Power of Attorney in the capacity and
on the date indicated below.


 
                           /s/ Joseph L. Lanier, Jr.
                           ---------------------------
                           Joseph L. Lanier, Jr.
                           Director
                           Date: December 15, 1998

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY



KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT:

  The undersigned director of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (the "Company")
constitutes and appoints Daniel C. Schulte and William D. Howey, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration
Statement for the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 401(k) and Thrift Plan and any
and all amendments and post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and other documents required in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Power of Attorney in the capacity and
on the date indicated below.


 
                           /s/ Harold T. McCormick
                           ---------------------------
                           Harold T. McCormick
                           Director
                           Date: December 14, 1998

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY



KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT:

  The undersigned director of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (the "Company")
constitutes and appoints Daniel C. Schulte and William D. Howey, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration
Statement for the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 401(k) and Thrift Plan and any
and all amendments and post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and other documents required in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Power of Attorney in the capacity and
on the date indicated below.


 
                           /s/ George J. Records
                           ---------------------------
                           George J. Records
                           Director
                           Date: December 14, 1998

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY



KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT:

  The undersigned director of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (the "Company")
constitutes and appoints Daniel C. Schulte and William D. Howey, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration
Statement for the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 401(k) and Thrift Plan and any
and all amendments and post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and other documents required in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Power of Attorney in the capacity and
on the date indicated below.


 
                           /s/ R. K. Richey
                           ---------------------------
                           R. K. Richey
                           Director
                           Date: December 15, 1998