<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001012704
<NAME> UGLY DUCKLING CORP
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          41,149
<SECURITIES>                                     5,208
<RECEIVABLES>                                   55,019
<ALLOWANCES>                                     9,842
<INVENTORY>                                     15,782
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F1>
<PP&E>                                          33,423
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,443
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 215,475
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F1>
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       171,317
<OTHER-SE>                                       7,280
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   215,475
<SALES>                                         46,013
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                58,443
<CGS>                                           25,890
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                19,112
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 8,109
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 440
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,892
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,987
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,905
<DISCONTINUED>                                   4,668
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,573
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .43
<FN>
<F1>UNCLASSIFIED BALANCE SHEET
</FN>