<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001012704
<NAME> UGLY DUCKLING CORP
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                        6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                  JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                              1,652
<SECURITIES>                                       17,884
<RECEIVABLES>                                      61,678
<ALLOWANCES>                                        5,950
<INVENTORY>                                        34,690
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        0<F1>
<PP&E>                                             33,395
<DEPRECIATION>                                      5,610
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    278,845
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                   0<F1>
<BONDS>                                                 0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                   0
<PREFERRED>                                             0
<COMMON>                                          173,562
<OTHER-SE>                                         10,228
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      278,845
<SALES>                                           142,491
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  166,357
<CGS>                                              81,213
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                           0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   44,062
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   29,308
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  1,164
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    10,610
<INCOME-TAX>                                        4,274
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 6,336
<DISCONTINUED>                                    (5,254)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                         0
<CHANGES>                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                        1,082
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         .06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         .06
<FN>
<F1>UNCLASSIFIED BALANCE SHEET  
</FN>