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>                              6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                         398,951
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           2,300
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               196,095
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     23,333
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       2,260,462
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         2,265,828
<LOANS>                                      5,984,827
<ALLOWANCE>                                     68,533
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               9,377,245
<DEPOSITS>                                   7,896,137
<SHORT-TERM>                                   311,241
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            123,695
<LONG-TERM>                                      3,659
<COMMON>                                        51,848
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        542
<OTHER-SE>                                     990,123
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               9,377,245
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                256,898
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               57,076
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                15,171
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               329,145
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             109,295
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,773
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          213,077
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   10,139
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 511
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                159,693
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 98,864
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      98,864
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    63,986
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.23 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.23
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    7.96
<LOANS-NON>                                     13,476
<LOANS-PAST>                                    14,398
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 2,262
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 31,922 
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                68,064
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   12,600
<RECOVERIES>                                     2,251
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               68,533
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            68,533
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>