<ARTICLE> BD
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE FORM 10Q AS OF DEC. 31, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-25-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                     323,870,630
<RECEIVABLES>                              457,525,379
<SECURITIES-RESALE>                                  0
<SECURITIES-BORROWED>                       21,162,312
<INSTRUMENTS-OWNED>                                  0
<PP&E>                                      10,524,748
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             829,712,000
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<PAYABLES>                                 753,287,834
<REPOS-SOLD>                                         0
<SECURITIES-LOANED>                                  0
<INSTRUMENTS-SOLD>                                   0
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       145,178
<OTHER-SE>                                  55,545,354
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               829,712,000
<TRADING-REVENUE>                                    0
<INTEREST-DIVIDENDS>                        13,109,849
<COMMISSIONS>                               15,775,074
<INVESTMENT-BANKING-REVENUES>                        0
<FEE-REVENUE>                                1,156,689
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           5,688,973
<COMPENSATION>                               6,764,708
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (17,495,722)
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                (17,495,722)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (11,249,342)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.77)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.77)