<TABLE> <S> <C>

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

<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                                           6-MOS                            6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                                 DEC-31-1997                      DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                                                    JAN-01-1998                      JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                                      JUN-30-1998                      JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                                                                 12,957                            9,686
<SECURITIES>                                                                           28,217                            9,999
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                         450,029                           48,549
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                             (682)                             (33)
<INVENTORY>                                                                                 0                                0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                      465,153                           58,235
<PP&E>                                                                                  8,051                                0
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                              0                                0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                        522,081                           70,294
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                                 373,594                           54,172
<BONDS>                                                                                     0                                0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                       0                                0
<PREFERRED>                                                                                 0                               30
<COMMON>                                                                                  101                                6
<OTHER-SE>                                                                            129,328                           15,300
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                          522,081                           70,294
<SALES>                                                                                14,028                            1,353
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                       14,028                            1,353
<CGS>                                                                                       0                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                               0                                0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                        1,286                            2,885
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                          118                               33
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                      7,781                              802
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                         4,849                           (2,367)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                                0                                0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                     4,849                           (2,367)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                              0                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                             0                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                                   0                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                            4,849                           (2,367)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                            0.60                                0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                            0.60                                0
        

</TABLE>