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>                              9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                         346,983
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           2,068
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               165,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     22,551
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       2,184,424
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         2,207,194
<LOANS>                                      6,009,999
<ALLOWANCE>                                     69,346
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               9,289,716
<DEPOSITS>                                   7,858,309
<SHORT-TERM>                                   317,327
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            125,710
<LONG-TERM>                                      3,439
<COMMON>                                        50,345
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        537
<OTHER-SE>                                     934,049
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               9,289,716
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                388,640
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               87,159
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                22,484
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               498,283
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             165,388
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,972
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          321,923
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   15,651
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 971
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                242,716
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                148,088
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     148,088
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    95,930
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.86 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.85
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    7.95
<LOANS-NON>                                     12,953
<LOANS-PAST>                                    17,929
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 2,245
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 28,001 
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                68,064
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   18,352
<RECOVERIES>                                     3,304
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               69,346
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            69,346
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>