<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE JUNE 30,
1997 FORM 10-Q OF PMC COMMERCIAL TRUST AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                              29
<SECURITIES>                                     7,520
<RECEIVABLES>                                  106,555<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (40)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 120,985<F2>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,598<F3>
<BONDS>                                         24,960
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        88,786
<OTHER-SE>                                       (359)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   120,985
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 6,897
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   855
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 898
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,144
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,144
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,144
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.83
<FN>
<F1>Includes current and long-term portion of all loans receivable - before reserve
and related interest receivable.
<F2>Includes the following items not included above:
(i)    Other assets, net                  $    30
(ii)   Deferred borrowing costs               390
(iii)  Restricted investments               6,501
                                          -------
                                          $ 6,921
                                          =======
<F3>Includes the following items not included above:
(i)      Dividends payable                $ 2,556
(ii)     Other liabilities                    168
(iii)    Interest payable                     140
(iv)     Borrower advances                  3,204
(v)      Unearned Commitment fees           1,035
(vi)     Due to affiliates                    381
(vii)    Unearned construction                   
         monitoring fees                      114
                                          -------
                                          $ 7,598
                                          =======
</FN>