<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>    9
<LEGEND>   
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CARDINAL BANKSHARES AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT SEPTEMBER
30, 1996 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                                  <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                        9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                       2,179,052
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                             2,050,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                 26,703,179
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                      12,932,851
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                        12,844,915
<LOANS>                                     83,727,728
<ALLOWANCE>                                   (939,944)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             130,955,890
<DEPOSITS>                                 115,963,363
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            679,840
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     4,655,360
<OTHER-SE>                                   9,657,327
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>             130,955,890
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              5,548,529
<INTEREST-INVEST>                            1,975,194
<INTEREST-OTHER>                               137,125
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             7,660,848
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           3,978,776
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        3,682,072
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  250,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                              21,252
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              2,079,127
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,636,800
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                   1,636,800
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,176,768
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.53
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.53
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.94
<LOANS-NON>                                    441,863
<LOANS-PAST>                                   262,000
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                             1,134,182
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  476,097
<RECOVERIES>                                    31,859
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              939,944
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           939,944
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>