<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This  schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the 
Company's  unaudited  financial  statements as of and for the year ended 
December 31, 1996, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such 
statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                                 0001012704
<NAME>                                        UGLY DUCKLING CORP
<MULTIPLIER>                                               1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                             12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                    DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                         DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                                    18,455
<SECURITIES>                                              13,368
<RECEIVABLES>                                             59,188
<ALLOWANCES>                                               8,125
<INVENTORY>                                                5,752
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                               0<F1>
<PP&E>                                                    23,591
<DEPRECIATION>                                            (2,939)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           118,063
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                          0<F1>
<BONDS>                                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                  82,612
<OTHER-SE>                                                  (293)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                             118,063
<SALES>                                                   53,768
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                          75,629
<CGS>                                                     29,890
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                  0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                          24,700
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                           9,811
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                         5,262
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                            5,866
<INCOME-TAX>                                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                            0
<DISCONTINUED>                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                               5,866
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                   .60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                   .60
<FN>
<F1>UNCLASSIFIEDBALANCESHEET
</FN>