<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, 1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                       2,114,886
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                             8,700,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                 29,791,850
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                      11,439,621 
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                        11,538,016
<LOANS>                                     87,254,937
<ALLOWANCE>                                 (1,391,660)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             141,733,451
<DEPOSITS>                                 122,786,051
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            749,558
<LONG-TERM>                                  2,400,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     4,655,360
<OTHER-SE>                                  11,142,482
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>             141,733,451
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              6,022,325
<INTEREST-INVEST>                            1,979,856
<INTEREST-OTHER>                               196,914     
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             8,199,095
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           4,190,984
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        4,008,111
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  425,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               5,102    
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              2,171,267
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,947,815
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                   1,947,815
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,397,418
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.00
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.98
<LOANS-NON>                                    278,557     
<LOANS-PAST>                                   511,240
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                             1,002,455
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   35,795
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                            1,391,660  
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                         1,391,660  
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>