<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM
10-K FOR THE ANNUAL PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANICAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS 12-MOS 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-1998 Dec-31-1997 Dec-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> Jan-01-1998 Jan-01-1997 Jan-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> Dec-31-1998 Dec-31-1997 Dec-31-1996
<CASH> 9,821,639 13,796,274 11,212,110
<SECURITIES> 7,509,641 7,475,821 3,000,000
<RECEIVABLES> 10,199,590 <F1> 4,321,151 1,181,513
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0 0
<INVENTORY> 33,893,017 <F2> 36,586,788 <F2> 52,766,342 <F2>
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 993,509 782,357 784,508
<PP&E> 29,834 7,203 0
<DEPRECIATION> (4,469) (341) 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 62,442,761 62,969,253 68,944,473
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 6,084,286 2,899,038 7,584,003
<BONDS> 41,528,914 <F3> 38,804,107 <F3> 41,218,205 <F3>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 0
<PREFERRED> 0 0 0
<COMMON> 42,918 42,918 42,918
<OTHER-SE> 14,786,643 21,223,190 20,099,347
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 62,442,761 62,969,253 68,944,473
<SALES> 438,792 488,563 5,479,114
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,407,571 3,917,890 6,404,822
<CGS> 0 0 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0 0 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 3,599,290 2,867,025 3,054,227
<LOSS-PROVISION> 1,073,494 328,236 10,079,777
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,679,566 3,599,487 3,983,606
<INCOME-PRETAX> (5,944,779) (2,876,858) (10,712,788)
<INCOME-TAX> (5,600) (4,000) 525,711
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (5,950,379) (2,880,858) (10,187,077)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 2,300,037 3,891,494 487,600
<CHANGES> 0 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (3,650,342) 1,010,636 9,699,477
<EPS-PRIMARY> (1.12) .29 (2.46)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.12) .28 (2.46)
<FN>
<F1> INCLUDES MATURED POLICIES RECEIVABLE AND LOANS RECEIVABLE.
<F2> INCLUDES ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND PURCHASED LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES FOR
1996. INCLUDES PURCHASED LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES FOR 1998 AND 1997.
<F3> REPRESENTS LONG TERM BORROWINGS OF THE COMPANY.
</FN>