<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>     
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FORM 10-Q DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>     
<CIK> 0000350847
<NAME> RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000     
            
<S>                                                    <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                       DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                          JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                            SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                                      143,124
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                      754,680
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                            165,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                                  0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                               1,003,549
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                            0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                              0
<LOANS>                                                   3,354,811
<ALLOWANCE>                                                  54,699
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            5,734,720
<DEPOSITS>                                                4,163,111
<SHORT-TERM>                                                456,340
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                          74,557
<LONG-TERM>                                                 191,525
<COMMON>                                                     78,886
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                   4,000
<OTHER-SE>                                                  416,301
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                            5,734,720
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                             176,708
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                            55,771
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                             35,293
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                            267,772
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                           94,928
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                          123,973
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                       143,799
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                                     0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                           15,003
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                             144,612
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                              85,441
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                                   85,441
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                 47,496
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  1.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  1.24
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                                 3.81
<LOANS-NON>                                                   1,519
<LOANS-PAST>                                                 10,527
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                                 84
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                              25,000
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                             52,381
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                                 2,548
<RECOVERIES>                                                  4,532
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                            54,699
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                         43,588
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                          11,111
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                           0
        


</TABLE>