<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's financial statements as part of its Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          22,600
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    137,072
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                      2,185,903<F1>
<ALLOWANCE>                                   (70,045)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,391,858
<DEPOSITS>                                     146,138
<SHORT-TERM>                                   398,006
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             46,366
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,352,770
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     369,239
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               2,391,858
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                370,314
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                9,183
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               379,497
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               9,166
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             120,758
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          258,739
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   58,800
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                127,626
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 99,518
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    62,518
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.89
<LOANS-NON>                                     45,631
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                55,568
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                 (62,615)
<RECOVERIES>                                    16,197
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               70,045
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                         70,045
<FN>
<F1>Aristar, Inc. is technically a Commercial and Industrial Company subject to
Article 5 of Regulation S-X.  However, as its primary business is consumer
finance, the Company, although not a bank holding company, is engaged in
similar lending activities.  Therefore, in accordance with Staff Accounting
Bulletin Topic 11-K, "Application of Article 9 and Guide 3," the Company has
prepared its Financial Data Schedule for the year ended December 31, 1996 using
the Article 9 format.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>