<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> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1999 SEP-30-1999 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999 OCT-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1999 MAR-31-1999 <CASH> 49,658 49,658 <RECEIVABLES> 1,929,885 1,929,885 <SECURITIES-RESALE> 0 0 <SECURITIES-BORROWED> 346,129 346,129 <INSTRUMENTS-OWNED> 891,235 891,235 <PP&E> 65,722 65,722 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,312,892 3,312,892 <SHORT-TERM> 209,662 209,662 <PAYABLES> 598,070 598,070 <REPOS-SOLD> 0 0 <SECURITIES-LOANED> 1,535,386 1,535,386 <INSTRUMENTS-SOLD> 0 0 <LONG-TERM> 0 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 2,328 2,328 <OTHER-SE> 967,446 967,446 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,312,892 3,312,892 <TRADING-REVENUE> 0 0 <INTEREST-DIVIDENDS> 44,495 76,044 <COMMISSIONS> 90,524 150,844 <INVESTMENT-BANKING-REVENUES> 0 0 <FEE-REVENUE> 0 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 16,055 26,028 <COMPENSATION> 0 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 9,056 (14,062) <INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 9,056 (14,062) <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,647 (7,899) <EPS-BASIC> 0.02 (0.03) <EPS-DILUTED> 0.02 (0.03)