<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM METROPOLITAN
FINANCIAL CORP. SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 FORM 10-Q, INCLUDING THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS,
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS AND THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          16,355
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          18,961
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    100,254
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          16,216
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            16,216
<LOANS>                                        974,277
<ALLOWANCE>                                      7,059
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,171,422
<DEPOSITS>                                     886,008
<SHORT-TERM>                                    45,000
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             19,492
<LONG-TERM>                                    152,250
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      40,922
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,171,422
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 52,291
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                8,589
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                60,880
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              30,315
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              37,818
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           23,062
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    2,050
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  70
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 18,311
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,167
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       5,159
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    245
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,914
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.69
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.25
<LOANS-NON>                                     14,039
<LOANS-PAST>                                       422
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                  2,896
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 5,622
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      653
<RECOVERIES>                                        40
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                7,059
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             7,059
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>