<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT 
OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS 
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STAEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           9,365
<SECURITIES>                                   205,859
<RECEIVABLES>                                  447,104
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,748
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               262,803
<PP&E>                                           9,453
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,572
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 691,232
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          366,426
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            61
<OTHER-SE>                                      84,409
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   691,232
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                43,813
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   34,666
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   300
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,847
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,268
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,579
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.41