<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
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                               1,000

<S>                                                                  <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                              6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                                       JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                         JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                                                   207,754
<SECURITIES>                                                             348,707
<RECEIVABLES>                                                          8,144,205
<ALLOWANCES>                                                             675,224
<INVENTORY>                                                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                               0  <F1>
<PP&E>                                                                   109,292
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                 0  <F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                         9,949,596
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                          0  <F1>
<BONDS>                                                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                     954
<OTHER-SE>                                                             1,011,741
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                           9,949,596
<SALES>                                                                        0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                       1,713,259
<CGS>                                                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                            694,946
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                         437,295
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                       180,771
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                          400,247
<INCOME-TAX>                                                             160,215
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                      240,032
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                             240,032
<EPS-BASIC>                                                               1.70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                               1.65
<FN>
<F1> Non-classified balance sheet
<F2> PP&E shown net
</FN>


</TABLE>