<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          10,079                   2,594
<SECURITIES>                                    44,522                  46,257
<RECEIVABLES>                                  345,958                  99,475
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               400,559                 148,326
<PP&E>                                           3,066                   1,286
<DEPRECIATION>                                   (548)                   (124)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 422,232                 160,176
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          283,810                 145,719
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            29                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     138,393                  14,457
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   422,232                 160,176
<SALES>                                         60,476                  21,566
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                60,476                  21,566
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                24,755                  12,242
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,721                   9,324
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,001                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             20,720                   9,324
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    20,720                   9,324
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.91                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.91                       0