<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>9
<LEGEND>     
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FORM 10-Q DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 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>                                                 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                       DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                          JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                            SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                                      178,661
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                      175,380
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                            646,474
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                                  0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                               1,405,990
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                            0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                              0
<LOANS>                                                   2,688,400
<ALLOWANCE>                                                  63,678
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            5,369,642
<DEPOSITS>                                                3,985,449
<SHORT-TERM>                                                340,034
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                          54,981
<LONG-TERM>                                                 191,525
<COMMON>                                                     78,305
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                   4,000
<OTHER-SE>                                                  365,348
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                            5,369,642
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                             153,772
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                            62,265
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                             27,869
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                            243,906
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                           88,442
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                          111,708
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                       132,198
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                                     0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                            3,494
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                             134,470
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                              62,700
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                                   62,700
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                 33,923
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                   .82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                   .82
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                                 3.82
<LOANS-NON>                                                   5,466
<LOANS-PAST>                                                  5,639
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                                107
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                               9,823
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                             64,486
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                                 2,178
<RECOVERIES>                                                  2,207
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                            63,678
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                         48,385
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                          15,293
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                           0
        


</TABLE>