<ARTICLE>                5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information primarily extracted from
Capita Preferred Trust's unaudited consolidated income statement and balance
sheet as of and for the three months ended March 31, 1998 and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such unaudited consolidated financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>              1,000
       
                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                    DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                         MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         0
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  0
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               0<F2>
<PP&E>                                         0
<DEPRECIATION>                                 0<F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           206,186
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          0<F2>
<BONDS>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                              200,000
<COMMON>                                   6,186
<OTHER-SE>                                     0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             206,186
<SALES>                                        0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           4,670
<CGS>                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            4,670
<INCOME-TAX>                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            0
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                               4,670
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0
        
<FN>
<F1>Accumulated depreciation relates to equipment under operating leases.
<F2>This item is not applicable since the Company does not prepare a classified balance sheet.
</FN>