<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
SEPTEMBER 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                              34
<SECURITIES>                                     3,708
<RECEIVABLES>                                  109,875<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (50)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 117,972<F2>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,244<F3>
<BONDS>                                         20,094
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        90,032
<OTHER-SE>                                       (398)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   117,972
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                10,322
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,275
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,295
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,752
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,752
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,752
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.25
<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             35
(ii)    Deferred borrowing costs     379
(iii)   Restricted investments     3,991
                                  ------
                                  $4,405    
                                  ======
<F3>Includes the following items not included above:
(i)     Dividends payable          2,647
(ii)    Other liabilities            187
(iii)   Interest payable             113
(iv)    Borrower advances          3,924
(v)     Unearned commitment fees     909
(vi)    Due to affiliates            340
(vii)   Unearned construction
        monitoring fees              124
                                  ------
                                  $8,244
                                  ======
</FN>