<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 SIX MONTHS  ENDED JUNE 30,  1999 AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS
ENTIREY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER>                                                              1,000


<S>                                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                             9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                   DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                                      JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                        SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                                                  253,732
<SECURITIES>                                                            378,072
<RECEIVABLES>                                                         9,490,083
<ALLOWANCES>                                                            832,783
<INVENTORY>                                                                0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                           0    <F1>
<PP&E>                                                                  127,916
<DEPRECIATION>                                                             0    <F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                       11,734,108
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                      0    <F1>
<BONDS>                                                                    0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                      0
<PREFERRED>                                                                0
<COMMON>                                                                    954
<OTHER-SE>                                                            1,162,602
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                         11,734,108
<SALES>                                                                    0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                      2,803,625
<CGS>                                                                      0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                         1,128,134
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                           0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                        725,574
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                      298,390
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                         651,527
<INCOME-TAX>                                                            260,623
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                     390,904
<DISCONTINUED>                                                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                            0
<CHANGES>                                                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                                                            390,904
<EPS-BASIC>                                                                2.77
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                              2.69
<FN>
<F1>  Non-classified balance sheet
<F2>  PP&E shown net
</FN>


</TABLE>