<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEETS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 (UNAUDITED) AND DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND FROM THE
STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 (UNAUDITED) OF
CLARK/BARDES HOLDINGS, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                       3,782,941              15,923,945
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                8,286,859               3,161,007
<ALLOWANCES>                                    78,000                  78,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            12,037,611              19,148,884
<PP&E>                                       2,229,121               2,722,009
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,513,267               1,637,818
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              36,901,890              60,884,843
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        9,743,367              12,265,175
<BONDS>                                     32,383,143              24,741,268
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                     5,162,281                  78,563
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,188,699              23,799,837
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                36,901,890              60,884,843
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            49,455,419              46,626,213
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               32,439,092              29,255,479
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            11,800,965              13,820,335
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,111,995               2,567,287
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              4,293,889               1,370,643
<INCOME-TAX>                                    60,000               (801,040)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 4,233,889               2,171,683
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
        

</TABLE>