<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>  9
<LEGEND>     
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FORM 10-Q DATED JUNE 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>                                                 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                       DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                          JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                            JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                                      151,348
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                      745,385
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                            265,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                                  0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                               1,163,627
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                            0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                              0
<LOANS>                                                   3,149,932
<ALLOWANCE>                                                  52,235
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            5,792,263
<DEPOSITS>                                                4,263,681
<SHORT-TERM>                                                450,692
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                          49,916
<LONG-TERM>                                                 191,525
<COMMON>                                                     78,809
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                   4,000
<OTHER-SE>                                                  403,640
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                            5,792,263
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                             112,396
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                            38,811
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                             22,793
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                            174,000
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                           60,018
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                           78,953
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                        95,047
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                                     0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                            6,781
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                              94,478
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                              53,933
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                                   53,933
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                 30,181
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                   .81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                   .78
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                                 3.86
<LOANS-NON>                                                  12,477
<LOANS-PAST>                                                 19,166
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                                 90
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                                 100
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                             52,381
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                                 1,379
<RECOVERIES>                                                  1,080
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                            52,235
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                         41,407
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                          10,828
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                           0
        


</TABLE>