<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                           9
<CIK>                                                                0001021061
<NAME>                              METRIS COMPANIES INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                               1000
<CURRENCY>                                                                    0

<S>                                 <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                              9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                   DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                      JAN-1-2000
<PERIOD-END>                        SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                               1
<CASH>                                                                  100,742
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                                        0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                                        162,263
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                                              0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                                   0
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                                        0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                                          0
<LOANS>                                                               2,809,563
<ALLOWANCE>                                                             729,275
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                        3,222,248
<DEPOSITS>                                                            1,632,294
<SHORT-TERM>                                                              1,227
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                                     400,652
<LONG-TERM>                                                             354,698
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                         0
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<COMMON>                                                                    621
<OTHER-SE>                                                              480,266
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<INTEREST-LOAN>                                                         339,853
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                                         5,540
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<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                                        348,400
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                                       56,369
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<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                                   260,116
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                                           296,944
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                                            0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                                         437,939
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                         244,357
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                                              150,036
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                                 3,438
<NET-INCOME>                                                            146,598
<EPS-BASIC>                                                                2.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                              1.60
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                                            18.80
<LOANS-NON>                                                                   0
<LOANS-PAST>                                                            319,031
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                                              0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                                               0
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<CHARGE-OFFS>                                                           610,731
<RECOVERIES>                                                             49,036
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                                       729,275
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                                    729,275
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                                           0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                                       0



</TABLE>