<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NOVA STAR
FINANCIAL'S FORM 10Q FOR THE NINE MONTHS AND THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000             JUL-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000             SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           2,767                   2,767
<SECURITIES>                                    41,784                  41,784
<RECEIVABLES>                                  424,547                 424,547
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,132                   8,132
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0                       0
<PP&E>                                               0                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 516,717                 516,717
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0                       0
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                         81                      81
<COMMON>                                            43                      43
<OTHER-SE>                                     100,739                 100,739
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   516,717                 516,717
<SALES>                                         36,310                  10,993
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                37,288                  10,850
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   34,598                   9,659
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,004                   1,212
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              26,881                   8,240
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,336                   1,978
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,336                   1,978
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,336                   1,978
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.25                    0.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.25                    0.18