<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>    9
<LEGEND>   
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CARDINAL BANKSHARES AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT JUNE
30, 1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                                  <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                        6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                       2,580,180
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                             7,700,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                 27,288,656
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                      11,760,711
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                        12,436,715
<LOANS>                                     88,637,140
<ALLOWANCE>                                 (1,129,379)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             141,159,114
<DEPOSITS>                                 122,652,216
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            855,913
<LONG-TERM>                                  2,400,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     4,655,360
<OTHER-SE>                                  10,595,625
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>             141,159,114
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              3,995,097
<INTEREST-INVEST>                            1,348,326
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                81,385    
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             5,424,808
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           2,739,595
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        2,685,213
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  150,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   7
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              1,409,274
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,335,402
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                   1,335,402
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   970,402
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.08
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.98
<LOANS-NON>                                          0
<LOANS-PAST>                                   300,000
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                             1,002,455
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   23,076
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                            1,129,379 
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                         1,129,379 
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>