<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, 1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                       2,304,135
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                       5,099,231
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                            10,760,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                 24,191,724
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                      15,738,217 
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                        16,089,806
<LOANS>                                     85,806,536
<ALLOWANCE>                                 (1,648,316)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             146,652,624
<DEPOSITS>                                 128,552,691
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            823,503
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     5,119,110
<OTHER-SE>                                  12,157,320
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>             146,652,624
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              6,058,998
<INTEREST-INVEST>                            2,124,222
<INTEREST-OTHER>                               320,749     
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             8,503,969
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           4,345,718
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        4,158,251
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  205,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                              27,189
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              2,167,926
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              2,119,703
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                   1,542,707
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,542,707
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.01
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.75
<LOANS-NON>                                    351,571
<LOANS-PAST>                                    19,363
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                             1,452,126
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   36,686
<RECOVERIES>                                    27,876
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                            1,648,316  
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                         1,648,316  
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>