<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0001096479 <NAME> LENDING TREE, INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <CURRENCY> US DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1999 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 37,492 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 1,920 <ALLOWANCES> 95 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 39,593 <PP&E> 784 <DEPRECIATION> 165 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 40,287 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 4,186 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 59,317 <COMMON> 31 <OTHER-SE> (23,216) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 40,287 <SALES> 4,028 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 4,028 <CGS> 1,576 <TOTAL-COSTS> 18,513 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 87 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> (80) <INCOME-PRETAX> (15,981) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (15,981) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (15,981) <EPS-BASIC> (5.85) <EPS-DILUTED> (5.85)