<ARTICLE> BD
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILING AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          21,814
<RECEIVABLES>                                  724,365
<SECURITIES-RESALE>                                  0
<SECURITIES-BORROWED>                                0
<INSTRUMENTS-OWNED>                            194,917
<PP&E>                                          18,802
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 989,903
<SHORT-TERM>                                    18,122
<PAYABLES>                                     690,506
<REPOS-SOLD>                                         0
<SECURITIES-LOANED>                                  0
<INSTRUMENTS-SOLD>                                   0
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           387
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     280,888
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   989,903
<TRADING-REVENUE>                                    0
<INTEREST-DIVIDENDS>                            25,265
<COMMISSIONS>                                  109,659
<INVESTMENT-BANKING-REVENUES>                        0
<FEE-REVENUE>                                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,909
<COMPENSATION>                                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,330
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      23,330
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,905
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.40