<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS REPORTED IN THE QUARTERLY REPORT
ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<CIK> 0001052100
<NAME> WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                          59,103
<SECURITIES>                                    71,458
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,819
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               181,277
<PP&E>                                          65,066
<DEPRECIATION>                                  16,673
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 410,366
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          270,018
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           997
<OTHER-SE>                                     126,220
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   410,366
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               388,443
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  202,900
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,977
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,825
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                170,741
<INCOME-TAX>                                    66,374
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            104,367
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   104,367
<EPS-BASIC>                                      $1.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    $1.20