<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000827230
<NAME> MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JUL-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 18,557
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 327,481
<ALLOWANCES> 46,739
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0
<PP&E> 23,065
<DEPRECIATION> 10,457
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 335,195
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0
<BONDS> 207,548
0
0
<COMMON> 134
<OTHER-SE> 91,518
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 335,195
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 33,539
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 6,879
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 10,578
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,124
<INCOME-PRETAX> 9,152
<INCOME-TAX> 3,851
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 5,301
<EPS-BASIC> 0.42
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.42
</TABLE>