<ARTICLE> 5
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           9,137
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  264,287
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,541
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                           2,570
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,168
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 233,128
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        143,952
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            49
<OTHER-SE>                                      35,125
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   233,128
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                26,814
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   12,330
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,194
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,649
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,002
<INCOME-TAX>                                       881
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,121
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,121
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .26