<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTREACTED FROM
PROGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          10,633
<SECURITIES>                                    95,471
<RECEIVABLES>                                  254,739
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,177
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,156
<PP&E>                                          13,363
<DEPRECIATION>                                   5,638
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 383,649
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          313,425
<BONDS>                                         50,270
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,785
<OTHER-SE>                                      16,169
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   383,649
<SALES>                                         28,121
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                32,980
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                15,596
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   687
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,682
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,015
<INCOME-TAX>                                       762
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,253
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .32