<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONDITION AND THE CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         339,256
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                             125
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               550,705
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  7,155,597
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       1,554,197
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         1,572,046
<LOANS>                                     31,531,653
<ALLOWANCE>                                    320,800
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              42,877,903
<DEPOSITS>                                  28,158,331
<SHORT-TERM>                                 7,568,824
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                          1,073,343
<LONG-TERM>                                  3,492,335
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    165,000
<COMMON>                                       137,885
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,282,185
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              42,877,903
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                625,061
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              153,314
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                13,872
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               792,247
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             279,776
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             446,094
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          346,153
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   40,390
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 (10)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                278,395
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                114,703
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      65,703
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    65,703
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.44
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.18
<LOANS-NON>                                    423,601
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                47,068
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               313,699
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   37,971
<RECOVERIES>                                     4,682
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              320,800
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           320,800
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>