<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE>                    5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                                                              <C>   


<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                                           9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                                 DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                                    JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                                      SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                                                                  7,177
<SECURITIES>                                                                           26,039
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                         543,361
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                           (1,701)
<INVENTORY>                                                                                 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                      254,018
<PP&E>                                                                                  9,343
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                           (437)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                        621,490
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                                 215,138
<BONDS>                                                                                     0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                                                  101
<OTHER-SE>                                                                            111,058
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                          621,490
<SALES>                                                                                11,043
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                       11,043
<CGS>                                                                                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                               0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                        3,568
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                        1,137
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                     14,713
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                        (8,375)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                                0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                    (8,375)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                           (8,375)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                           (0.96)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                           (0.96)

         

</TABLE>