<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEETS OF BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC. AS OF JUNE
30, 1998, AND THE UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
30, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                         592,314
<SECURITIES>                                   454,689
<RECEIVABLES>                               11,408,641
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (168,235)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            12,287,409
<PP&E>                                         552,614
<DEPRECIATION>                               (239,355)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              14,460,206
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        7,574,431
<BONDS>                                      5,722,025
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                  1,621,422
<COMMON>                                       754,474
<OTHER-SE>                                 (1,212,146)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                14,460,206
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,615,272
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               770,084
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               255,048
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             686,822
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (96,682)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (27,986)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (68,696)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                108,298
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,602
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.34)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.34)