<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>  9
<LEGEND>     
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FORM 10-Q DATED MARCH 31, 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>                                                 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                       DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                          JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                            MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                                      146,698
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                      545,448
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                            360,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                                  0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                               1,420,342
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                            0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                              0
<LOANS>                                                   2,869,245
<ALLOWANCE>                                                  52,180
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            5,636,629
<DEPOSITS>                                                3,989,150
<SHORT-TERM>                                                453,990
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                         177,450
<LONG-TERM>                                                 191,525
<COMMON>                                                     78,703
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                   4,000
<OTHER-SE>                                                  391,811
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                            5,636,629
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                              55,260
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                            20,885
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                             10,787
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                             86,932
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                           29,786
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                           39,247
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                        47,685
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                                     0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                            5,324
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                              47,408
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                              28,414
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                                   28,414
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                 15,635
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                   .42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                   .41
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                                 3.90
<LOANS-NON>                                                  12,314
<LOANS-PAST>                                                 11,412
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                                 85
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                                 246
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                             52,381
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                                   824
<RECOVERIES>                                                    397
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                            52,180
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                         41,782
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                          10,398
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                           0
        


</TABLE>