<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>9
<LEGEND>     
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM     
FORM 10-Q DATED JUNE 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>                              6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         168,989
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                         182,797
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               620,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,439,878
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                      2,650,965
<ALLOWANCE>                                     63,856
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,366,010
<DEPOSITS>                                   4,062,663
<SHORT-TERM>                                   280,042
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             46,136
<LONG-TERM>                                    191,525
<COMMON>                                        78,292
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      4,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     353,352
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               5,366,010
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                101,352
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               40,162
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                18,675
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               160,189
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              58,161
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              73,179
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           87,010
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 159
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 89,472
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 38,268
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      38,268
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,102
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .50
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.83
<LOANS-NON>                                      6,388
<LOANS-PAST>                                     6,355
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   115
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                  9,848
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                64,486
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    1,733
<RECOVERIES>                                     1,515
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               63,856
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            48,588
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                             15,268
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        


</TABLE>