<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF FINANCIAL FEDERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
AS OF APRIL 30, 2000 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
AND RETAINED EARNINGS FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-2000
<CASH>                                            5486
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  1077297
<ALLOWANCES>                                     18084
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1068254
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                          7460
<OTHER-SE>                                      157739
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1068254
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 80281
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  2200
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               37211
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  32355
<INCOME-TAX>                                     12530
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              19825
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     19825
<EPS-BASIC>                                     1.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.13

<F1>THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDE A NONCLASSIFIED BALANCE SHEET