<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 FORM 10-Q OF THE 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                              94
<SECURITIES>                                       161
<RECEIVABLES>                                  120,120<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (100)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          73,770
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (2,610)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 200,875<F2>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,360<F3>
<BONDS>                                        101,218
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        94,360
<OTHER-SE>                                     (2,063)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   200,875
<SALES>                                         16,450
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                16,450
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,533
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,243
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,674
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,674
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,674
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.18
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES CURRENT AND LONG-TERM PORTION OF ALL LOANS RECEIVEABLE - BEFORE
RESERVE AND RELATED INTEREST RECEIVABLES.
<F2>INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ITEMS NOT INCLUDED ABOVE:

(i)    OTHER ASSETS, NET           $   386
(ii)   DEFERRED BORROWING COSTS        484
(iii)  RESTRICTED INVESTMENTS        8,570
                                   -------
                                   $ 9,440
                                   =======
<F3>INCULDES THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

(i)      DIVIDENDS PAYABLE        $  3,005
(ii)     OTHER LIABILITIES           2,202
(iii)    INTEREST PAYABLE              360
(iv)     BORROWER ADVANCES             946
(v)      UNEARNED COMMITMENT FEES      341
(vi)     DUE TO AFFILIATES             506
                                  --------
                                  $  7,360
                                  ========
</FN>