<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000217416
<NAME> UNITED COMPANIES FINANCIAL CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1995
<CASH>                                          11,591
<SECURITIES>                                 1,142,954
<RECEIVABLES>                                  412,158
<ALLOWANCES>                                    16,842
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          31,747
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,087,806
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        240,342
<COMMON>                                        28,930
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     164,962
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,087,806
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                88,119
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                58,612
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,064
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,894
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,549
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,725
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,824
<DISCONTINUED>                                   (128)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,696
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .90
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .90