<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PRIMARK CORPORATIONS CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1996 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 58,939 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 156,586 <ALLOWANCES> 4,666 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 236,364 <PP&E> 117,581 <DEPRECIATION> 45,080 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 812,830 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 138,687 <BONDS> 265,711 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 16,874 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 489 <OTHER-SE> 364,496 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 812,830 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 180,729 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 105,407 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 58,733 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,615 <INCOME-PRETAX> 12,012 <INCOME-TAX> 5,612 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,400 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,400 <EPS-PRIMARY> .24 <EPS-DILUTED> .24