WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

[DESCRIPTION]      FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE
<ARTICLE>          9
<CIK>                                      0000037032
<NAME>                                     FIRST VIRGINIA BANKS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                               1000
       
<S>                                        <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                         359,363
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                              25
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               245,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     17,122
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       2,403,099
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         2,405,810 
<LOANS>                                      6,004,017
<ALLOWANCE>                                     66,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               9,540,914
<DEPOSITS>                                   8,022,579
<SHORT-TERM>                                   349,093
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            146,933
<LONG-TERM>                                      2,971
<COMMON>                                        50,125
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        502
<OTHER-SE>                                     968,711
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               9,540,914
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                125,540
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               29,417
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 5,576
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               160,533
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              50,102
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,624
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          106,807
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    3,956
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 822
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 81,931
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 67,772
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      67,772
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    44,284
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .88 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .88
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    7.56
<LOANS-NON>                                     14,018
<LOANS-PAST>                                    18,250
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 2,386
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 31,885 
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                70,312
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    4,829
<RECOVERIES>                                     1,084
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               66,200
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            66,200
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                         63,237
        

</TABLE>