<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM METROPOLITAN
FINANCIAL CORP. MARCH 31, 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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          25,632
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          10,189
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 9,740
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    144,660
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                           4,740
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                        752,574
<ALLOWANCE>                                      5,881
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 989,706
<DEPOSITS>                                     808,553
<SHORT-TERM>                                    30,286
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             18,307
<LONG-TERM>                                     94,338
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      38,222
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 989,706
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 16,200
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                3,013
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                19,213
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               9,611
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,657
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            7,556
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      450
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  66
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  5,570
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,174
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       3,174
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,987
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.28
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.45
<LOANS-NON>                                      7,045
<LOANS-PAST>                                       400
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                  5,193
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 5,622
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      192
<RECOVERIES>                                         1
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                5,881
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             5,881
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>