<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Provident Bancorp, Inc.'s 10-K for December 31, 1996 and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         208,097
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                70,650
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,032,907
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                      5,311,448
<ALLOWANCE>                                     66,693
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,829,088
<DEPOSITS>                                   4,596,480
<SHORT-TERM>                                   599,540
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            166,350
<LONG-TERM>                                    949,913
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,000
<COMMON>                                        11,973
<OTHER-SE>                                     497,832
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               6,829,088
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                451,805
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               67,579
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   941
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               520,325
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             192,939
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             280,257
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          240,068
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   47,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  96
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                167,941
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                124,043
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      81,200
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    81,200
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.97<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.94<F1>
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.96
<LOANS-NON>                                     21,116
<LOANS-PAST>                                    18,751
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   786
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 37,627
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                60,235
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   46,809
<RECOVERIES>                                     4,894
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               66,693
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            66,693
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Earnings per share has been adjusted for two 3-for-2 stock splits which
were effective May 24, 1996 and December 19, 1996.  Prior financial data
schedules have not been restated for the December 19, 1996 recapitalization.
Financial data schedules prior to the June 30, 1996 10-Q filing have not been
restated for either of the recapitalizations.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>