<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000827230
<NAME> MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          12,985
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  247,409
<ALLOWANCES>                                    26,908
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          16,057
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,331
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 260,818
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        143,326
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           133
<OTHER-SE>                                      82,436
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   260,818
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                24,823
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,232
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 5,888
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,602
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,063
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,322
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,741
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.36