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-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         396,054
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           2,300
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               440,263
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     24,437
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       2,141,825
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         2,146,904
<LOANS>                                      5,858,520
<ALLOWANCE>                                     67,117
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               9,269,746
<DEPOSITS>                                   7,821,451
<SHORT-TERM>                                   274,476
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            139,315
<LONG-TERM>                                      3,875
<COMMON>                                        51,841
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        551
<OTHER-SE>                                     978,237
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               9,269,746
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                127,617
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               26,725
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 7,730
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               162,072
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              54,152
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,215
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          104,662
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    4,084
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 506
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 78,760
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 48,265
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      48,265
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    31,542
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .61
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    7.95
<LOANS-NON>                                     17,284
<LOANS-PAST>                                    14,451
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 1,978
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 33,739
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                68,064
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    6,041
<RECOVERIES>                                     1,010
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               67,117
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            67,117
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>