<ARTICLE>                        5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from EQUIVEST
FINANCE, INC.  and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                  JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                    SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                            3,263,035
<SECURITIES>                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   143,729,180
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (3,881,377)
<INVENTORY>                                       9,598,952
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                          0
<PP&E>                                            2,968,643
<DEPRECIATION>                                            0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  188,741,531
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             8,574,416
<BONDS>                                         128,355,911
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                30,000
<PREFERRED>                                               0
<COMMON>                                          1,255,286
<OTHER-SE>                                       50,525,918
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    188,741,531
<SALES>                                                   0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 18,196,305
<CGS>                                                     0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     4,681,769
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    649,710
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                6,655,182
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   6,209,644
<INCOME-TAX>                                      2,300,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               3,909,644
<DISCONTINUED>                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                      3,909,644
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          0.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          0.15