<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, 1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                       2,240,604
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                       5,000,000
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                            10,000,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                 30,804,860
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                      13,090,347 
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                        13,275,298
<LOANS>                                     82,361,495
<ALLOWANCE>                                  1,541,968 
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             146,007,398
<DEPOSITS>                                 128,524,975
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            979,849
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     5,119,110
<OTHER-SE>                                  11,383,463
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>             146,007,398
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              2,040,553
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              737,832
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                82,053
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             2,860,438
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           1,459,306
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        1,401,132
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   75,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                              11,809
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                683,983
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                729,865
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     729,865
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   524,939
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.03
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.84
<LOANS-NON>                                    283,049
<LOANS-PAST>                                   100,125
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                             1,452,126
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    7,000
<RECOVERIES>                                    21,842
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                            1,541,968  
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                         1,541,968  
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>