<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>    9
<LEGEND>   
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CARDINAL BANKSHARES AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT MARCH
31, 1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                                  <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                        3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                       2,423,799
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                             1,950,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                 28,331,551
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                      13,195,453
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                        12,547,512
<LOANS>                                     88,014,397
<ALLOWANCE>                                 (1,037,556)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             136,930,776
<DEPOSITS>                                 118,918,776
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            836,988
<LONG-TERM>                                  2,400,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     4,655,360
<OTHER-SE>                                  10,119,652
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>             136,930,776
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              1,983,526
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              692,788
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 9,703
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             2,686,017
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           1,337,935
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        1,348,082
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   75,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               6,808
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                742,120
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                624,352
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     624,352
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   457,202
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .98
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .98
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.15
<LOANS-NON>                                          0
<LOANS-PAST>                                   300,000
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                             1,002,455
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   16,000
<RECOVERIES>                                     2,000
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                            1,062,556 
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                         1,062,556 
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>