<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     (Replace this text with the legend)
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          18,940
<SECURITIES>                                   104,385
<RECEIVABLES>                                  328,831
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,287
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,728
<PP&E>                                          15,810
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,498
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 493,406
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          382,119
<BONDS>                                         71,172
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,064
<OTHER-SE>                                      21,051
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   493,406
<SALES>                                         34,448
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                40,926
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                17,014
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,121
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,609
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,182
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,310
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,872
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .97
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .90