<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
FORD CREDIT'S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET IS UNCLASSIFIED.  THEREFORE,
THE FOLLOWING TAGS LISTED BELOW ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO FORD CREDIT: CURRENT
ASSETS AND CURRENT LIABILITIES.  INFORMATION RELATING TO EARNINGS A SHARE IS NOT
PRESENTED BECAUSE FORD CREDIT IS AN INDIRECT WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF FORD
MOTOR COMPANY.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             689
<SECURITIES>                                       888
<RECEIVABLES>                                   82,311
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 121,973
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        100,725
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            25
<OTHER-SE>                                       9,559
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   121,973
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                17,603
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   15,798
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,933
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,338
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,527
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,806
<INCOME-TAX>                                       727
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,031
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,031
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0