<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.

<CIK> 0000827230
<NAME> MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<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
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          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