<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MARCH 31, 1998 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 7,381 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 192,457<F1> <ALLOWANCES> 27,475 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 10,017 <DEPRECIATION> 5,562 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 183,198 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 142,182 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 50 <OTHER-SE> 21,539 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 183,188 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 18,089 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 5,458 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 4,575 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,820 <INCOME-PRETAX> 5,236 <INCOME-TAX> 2,125 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,111 <EPS-PRIMARY> .63 <EPS-DILUTED> .63 <FN> <F1>NET INVESTMENT IN FINANCING LEASES AND LOANS, EXCLUDING ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES. </FN>