<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM
10-K FOR THE ANNUAL PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999, 1998 AND 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANICAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>



<S>                         <C>                                <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>              12-MOS                              12-MOS                  12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                    Dec-31-1999                        Dec-31-1998                        Dec-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                       Jan-01-1999                        Jan-01-1998                        Jan-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                         Jan-01-1999                        Jan-01-1998                        Dec-31-1997
<CASH>                                15,910,182                          9,821,639                         13,796,274
<SECURITIES>                          14,957,564                          7,509,641                          7,475,821
<RECEIVABLES>                         35,467,079 <F1>                    10,199,590 <F1>                     4,321,151 <F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                  0                                   0                                  0
<INVENTORY>                           31,727,966 <F2>                    33,893,017 <F2>                    36,586,788 <F2>
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                       3,428,143                            993,509                            782,357
<PP&E>                                    47,893                             29,834                              7,203
<DEPRECIATION>                           (12,976)                            (4,469)                              (341)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                       101,525,851                         62,442,761                         62,969,253
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                  7,955,329                          6,084,286                          2,899,038
<BONDS>                               66,027,729 <F3>                    41,528,914 <F3>                    38,804,107 <F3>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0                                  0                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                    0                                  0                                  0
<COMMON>                                  43,901                             42,918                             42,918
<OTHER-SE>                            27,498,892                         14,786,643                         21,223,190
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>         101,525,851                         62,442,761                         62,969,253
<SALES>                                  203,801                            438,792                            488,563
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                      19,718,307                          1,334,077                          3,917,890
<CGS>                                          0                                  0                                  0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  0                                  0                                  0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                       5,513,220                          3,599,290                          2,867,025
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0                                  0                            328,236
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                     4,962,878                          3,679,566                          3,599,487
<INCOME-PRETAX>                        9,242,209                         (5,944,779)                        (2,876,858)
<INCOME-TAX>                             589,885                             (5,600)                            (4,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                    9,832,094                         (5,950,379)                        (2,880,858)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0                                  0                                  0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0                          2,300,037                          3,891,494
<CHANGES>                                      0                                  0                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                           9,832,094                         (3,650,342)                         1,010,636
<EPS-BASIC>                               2.95                              (1.12)                               .29
<EPS-DILUTED>                               2.70                              (1.12)                               .28


<FN>
<F1> INCLUDES MATURED POLICIES RECEIVABLE AND LOANS RECEIVABLE.
<F2> INCLUDES ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND PURCHASED LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES FOR
     1997. INCLUDES PURCHASED LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES FOR 1999 AND 1998.
<F3> REPRESENTS LONG TERM BORROWINGS OF THE COMPANY.
</FN>



</TABLE>