<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 FORM 10-Q OF PMC COMMERCIAL TRUST AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                             117
<SECURITIES>                                       208
<RECEIVABLES>                                  112,221
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (100)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          70,941
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (4,716)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 185,861
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,471
<BONDS>                                         89,414
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        94,328
<OTHER-SE>                                     (5,352)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   185,861
<SALES>                                         15,253
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                15,253
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,404
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   600
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,102
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,147
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,147
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,147
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.94
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.94

<F1>INCLUDES CURRENT AND LONG-TERM PORTION OF ALL LOANS RECEIVABLE - BEFORE RESERVE
AND RELATED INTEREST RECEIVABLES.
<F2>INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ITEMS NOT INCLUDED ABOVE:

(i)    OTHER ASSETS, NET              $   341
(ii)   DEFERRED BORROWING COSTS           372
(iii)  RESTRICTED INVESTMENTS           5,890
(iv)   ASSET ACQUIRED IN LIQUIDATION      587
                                      -------
                                      $ 7,190
                                      =======
<F3>INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

(i)     DIVIDENDS PAYABLE            $ 3,003
(ii)    OTHER LIABILITIES              2,114
(iii)   INTEREST PAYABLE                 323
(iv)    BORROWER ADVANCES              1,160
(v)     UNEARNED COMMITMENT FEES         313
(vi)    DUE TO AFFILIATES                558
                                     -------
                                     $ 7,471
                                     =======