<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