<ARTICLE> BD
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM INTERRA
FINANCIAL INCORPORATED'S SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          36,605
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,428,635
<SECURITIES-RESALE>                            336,640
<SECURITIES-BORROWED>                                0<F1>
<INSTRUMENTS-OWNED>                            525,750
<PP&E>                                          39,245
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,503,893
<SHORT-TERM>                                    95,000
<PAYABLES>                                   1,502,552
<REPOS-SOLD>                                   162,046
<SECURITIES-LOANED>                                  0<F2>
<INSTRUMENTS-SOLD>                             316,636
<LONG-TERM>                                     18,671
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,537
<OTHER-SE>                                     305,654
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,503,893
<TRADING-REVENUE>                              115,944
<INTEREST-DIVIDENDS>                            88,524
<COMMISSIONS>                                  200,924
<INVESTMENT-BANKING-REVENUES>                   74,086
<FEE-REVENUE>                                   33,263<F3>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              41,720
<COMPENSATION>                                 308,166
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 52,879
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      33,948
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    33,948
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.54
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDED IN RECEIVABLES.
<F2>INCLUDED IN PAYABLES.
<F3>INCLUDES FEES FROM ASSET MANAGEMENT ONLY.
</FN>