<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements for the twelve months ended December 31, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          34,231
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                16,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    123,172
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          26,507
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            26,968
<LOANS>                                      1,370,943
<ALLOWANCE>                                     22,414
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,613,405
<DEPOSITS>                                   1,107,555
<SHORT-TERM>                                   162,751
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             19,605
<LONG-TERM>                                    170,458
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           134
<OTHER-SE>                                     152,902
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,613,405
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                117,371
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                9,264
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   695
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               127,330
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              49,936
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              64,351
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           62,979
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   10,700
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 217
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 41,104
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 29,180
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      29,180
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,744
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.40<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.36<F2>
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.36
<LOANS-NON>                                     18,432
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 11,029
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                18,768
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    9,086
<RECOVERIES>                                     2,032
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               22,414
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          6,119
<FN>
<F1>With the issuance of FAS128, Earnings Per Share, the number entered on
this financial data schedule under the EPS-PRIMARY tag is actually
basic earnings per share in accordance with the new guidelines.  Previously
filed financial data schedules have not been restated for FAS128.  Basic
earnings per share for 1996 and 1995 under FAS128 would have been $1.10 and
$1.39, respectively.  Diluted earnings per share for 1996 and 1995 under
FAS128 would have been $1.06 and $1.34, respectively.
<F2>Both EPS tags are reflective of a six-for-five stock dividend paid
March 6, 1998 to shareholders of record as of February 19, 1998.  Prior
period EPS tags in previously filed financial data schedules have not
been restated to reflect this dividend.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>