<TABLE> <S> <C>



<ARTICLE>                                                                      5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM THE  CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED   FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  OF  PROVIDIAN  FINANCIAL  CORPORATION  AND
SUBSIDIARIES  FOR THE THREE  MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                               1,000

<S>                                                                  <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                                       JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                                         MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                                                   313,725
<SECURITIES>                                                           2,390,463
<RECEIVABLES>                                                         12,643,861
<ALLOWANCES>                                                           1,160,360
<INVENTORY>                                                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                               0 <F1>
<PP&E>                                                                   171,003
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                 0 <F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                        17,308,989
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                          0 <F1>
<BONDS>                                                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                     954
<OTHER-SE>                                                             1,508,795
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                          17,308,989
<SALES>                                                                        0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                       1,355,439
<CGS>                                                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                            499,071
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                         361,213
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                       204,658
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                          290,497
<INCOME-TAX>                                                             116,179
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                      174,318
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                             174,318
<EPS-BASIC>                                                                 1.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                               1.20
<FN>
<F1> Non-classified balance sheet
<F2> PP&E shown net
</FN>


</TABLE>