<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           8,480
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                10,475
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     50,386
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                        152,038
<ALLOWANCE>                                      1,645
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 234,521
<DEPOSITS>                                     214,731
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              1,475
<LONG-TERM>                                      1,088
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,701
<OTHER-SE>                                      14,526
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 234,521
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  7,519
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                1,230
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   329
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 9,078
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               4,246
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,301
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            4,777
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      240
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  3,868
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,858
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       1,858
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,249
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.30
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                       0
<LOANS-NON>                                         66
<LOANS-PAST>                                       263
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                  2,578
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 1,704
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      320
<RECOVERIES>                                        21
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                1,645
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             1,645
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>