<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>9
<LEGEND>     
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM     
FORM 10-Q DATED MARCH 31, 1997 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>                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         154,128
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                         168,277
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               545,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,551,597
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                      2,586,905
<ALLOWANCE>                                     63,595
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,308,646
<DEPOSITS>                                   4,036,587
<SHORT-TERM>                                   258,153
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             50,121
<LONG-TERM>                                    191,525
<COMMON>                                        78,188
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      4,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     340,072
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               5,308,646
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 50,204
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               18,060
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 8,805
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                77,069
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              28,379
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              35,652
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           41,417
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   2
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 43,812
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,246
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      17,246
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,466
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .25
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.76
<LOANS-NON>                                      6,875
<LOANS-PAST>                                     4,437
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   120
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                  9,902
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                64,486
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      835
<RECOVERIES>                                       685
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               63,595
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            48,606
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                             14,989
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        


</TABLE>