<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE DECEMBER
31, 1996 FORM 10-K OF PMC CAPITAL INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                             340
<SECURITIES>                                    49,677
<RECEIVABLES>                                   96,673<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (435)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                             482
<DEPRECIATION>                                   (301)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 164,964<F2>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,093<F3>
<BONDS>                                         79,570
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            4,000<F4>
<PREFERRED>                                      3,000<F4>
<COMMON>                                        62,237
<OTHER-SE>                                         666
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   164,964<F5>
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                23,821<F6>
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,746
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   147
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,708
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,220
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,220
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,220
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.18
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES CURRENT AND LONG TERM PORTION OF ALL LOANS RECEIVABLE - BEFORE
RESERVE, INTEREST RECEIVABLE ON LOANS AND RECEIVABLE FOR LOANS SOLD. DOES NOT
INCLUDE RECEIVABLE FROM AFFILIATE.                   
<F2>INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ITEMS NOT INCLUDED ABOVE
(i)     EXCESS SERVICING ASSET               $   6,429
(ii)    RESTRICTED INVESTMENTS                   1,229
(iii)   REAL PROPERTY OWNED                        303
(iv)    DUE FROM AFFILIATES                      1,097
(v)     DEFERRED CHARGES, DEPOSITS AND
        OTHER ASSETS, NET                          885
(vi)    INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES               8,585
                                             ---------
                                             $  18,528
                                             =========
<F3>INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
(i)          ACCRUED INTEREST PAYABLE           $ 1,442
(ii)         BORROWER ADVANCES                    1,795
(iii)        DIVIDENDS PAYABLE                    3,635
(iv)         ACCOUNTS PAYABLE                     4,145
(v)          DUE TO UNCONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES   1,076
                                                -------
                                                $12,093
                                                =======
<F4>PREFERRED STOCK OF SUBSIDIARY HELD BY SBA. SEE FOOTNOTES TO FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
<F5>INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ITEMS NOT INCLUDED ABOVE
(i)          DEFERRED FEE REVENUE        $  419
(ii)         OTHER LIABILITIES            1,446
(iii)        ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT
             LOSSES ON LOANS SOLD         1,533
                                         ------
                                         $3,398
                                         ======
<F6>RESERVES CONSIST PRIMARILY OF INTEREST AND OTHER YIELD ON INVESTMENTS.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>