<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.
INCLUDED IN PART I, ITEM 1 OF THE ACCOMPANYING FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT FOR
THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          51,634
<SECURITIES>                                    96,304
<RECEIVABLES>                                   31,426
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               185,764
<PP&E>                                          32,979
<DEPRECIATION>                                  12,244
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 343,751
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          164,745
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           665
<OTHER-SE>                                     165,571
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   343,751
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               166,178
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   90,594
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,452
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,006
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 72,126
<INCOME-TAX>                                    27,354
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             44,772
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    44,772
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .71