<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements of Metris Companies Inc. for the fiscal
quarter ended March 31, 1997 and is qualifed for its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997             MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          13,942                   3,233
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0                       0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                26,818                   5,040
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0                       0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                          0                       0
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0                       0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0                       0
<LOANS>                                        291,043                 164,419
<ALLOWANCE>                                     19,357                   6,745
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 381,498                 215,223
<DEPOSITS>                                           0                   1,000
<SHORT-TERM>                                   102,000                  93,813
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            133,042                  45,236
<LONG-TERM>                                          0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           192                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     146,264                  75,173
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 381,498                 215,223
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 11,934                   5,356
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                  306                     318
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   190                      29
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                12,430                   5,703
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                   7                      12
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,459                   1,097
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           10,971                   4,606
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   11,054                   4,690
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0                       0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 33,583                  19,013
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,582                   6,269
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       7,738                   3,855
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,738                   3,855
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .38                     .23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .38                     .23
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    17.3                    16.6
<LOANS-NON>                                          0                       0
<LOANS-PAST>                                     7,437                   2,440
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0                       0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0                       0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                12,829                   3,679
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    5,450                   1,660
<RECOVERIES>                                       118                      36
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               19,357                   6,745
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            19,357                   6,745
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0                       0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0                       0
        

</TABLE>