WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>



                  OUTSOURCING SOLUTIONS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                      Exhibit 27
                            FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE


Note: This schedule  contains summary financial  information  extracted from the
Form 10-Q for the Quarter  Ended June 30, 1998 and is  qualified in its entirety
by reference to such financial statements.

<ARTICLE>                                                                  5
<MULTIPLIER>                                                           1,000
       
<S>                                                              <C>  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                          6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                   JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                     JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                                                42,030
<SECURITIES>                                                               0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                         40,605
<ALLOWANCES>                                                           1,385
<INVENTORY>                                                           40,537
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                     129,327
<PP&E>                                                                84,502                         
<DEPRECIATION>                                                        39,168
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                       638,804
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                115,898
<BONDS>                                                                    0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                      0
<PREFERRED>                                                           12,167
<COMMON>                                                                  53
<OTHER-SE>                                                                 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                         638,804
<SALES>                                                                    0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                     238,731
<CGS>                                                                      0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                        219,501
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                           0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                           0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                    24,390
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                       (5,160)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                               0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                   (5,160)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                            0
<CHANGES>                                                               (572)
<NET-INCOME>                                                          (5,732)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                              0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                              0

        

</TABLE>