<ARTICLE>                        5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from EQUIVEST
FINANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>

                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                  JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                    JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                            3,571,430
<SECURITIES>                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   168,216,314
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (6,631,828)
<INVENTORY>                                      62,458,606
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                          0
<PP&E>                                           10,839,594
<DEPRECIATION>                                            0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  278,562,330
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                     0
<BONDS>                                         197,047,951
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                30,000
<PREFERRED>                                               0
<COMMON>                                            256,884
<OTHER-SE>                                       59,521,687
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    278,562,330
<SALES>                                                   0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 38,452,729
<CGS>                                                     0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                             0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    829,320
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   7,342,316
<INCOME-TAX>                                      3,000,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               4,342,316
<DISCONTINUED>                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                      4,342,316
<EPS-BASIC>                                           .16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           .16