<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 10-Q DATED
MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997             MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          15,973                  17,068
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0                       0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0                       0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0                       0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                          0                       0
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0                       0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            60,268                  33,243
<LOANS>                                      1,008,940                 509,941
<ALLOWANCE>                                    (5,176)                 (2,415)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,125,950                 582,180
<DEPOSITS>                                           0                       0
<SHORT-TERM>                                   556,259                 528,745
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              8,200                   6,819
<LONG-TERM>                                    431,872                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            95                      43
<OTHER-SE>                                     129,724                  46,573
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,125,950                 582,180
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 23,080                  13,010
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                    0                       0
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                23,080                  13,010
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                   0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,322                   9,009
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            7,758                   4,001
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    1,464                   2,415
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 648                       0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  1,228                     606
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,914                   1,694
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       5,914                   1,694
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,914                   5,914
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .58                     .39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .58                     .39
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                       0                       0
<LOANS-NON>                                          0                       0
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0                       0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0                       0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0                       0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                     0                       0
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        0                       0
<RECOVERIES>                                         0                       0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                    0                       0
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0                       0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0                       0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0                       0