<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF THE UNITED GROUP, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                         393,470
<SECURITIES>                                 1,890,866
<RECEIVABLES>                               37,597,412
<ALLOWANCES>                                   679,580
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         821,389
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              40,372,435
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                      3,423,309
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        100,00
<OTHER-SE>                                   5,058,694
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                40,372,430
<SALES>                                      8,680,724
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             8,680,724
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             4,278,442
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               548,188
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,286,076
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,568,018
<INCOME-TAX>                                   406,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,162,018
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,162,018
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.10