
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                      87,633,719
<SECURITIES>                                 9,037,479
<RECEIVABLES>                               35,830,237
<ALLOWANCES>                                   330,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           151,775,862
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             283,132,179
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       23,674,994
<BONDS>                                    144,303,984
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       260,737
<OTHER-SE>                                 106,802,464
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               283,132,179
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            84,620,459
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               69,741,185
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,480,021
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,513,888
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             13,399,253
<INCOME-TAX>                                 5,085,503
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          8,313,750
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 8,313,750
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.31
        

</TABLE>
