<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FORM 10-Q DATED MARCH 31, 1999 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                          JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                            MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                                      131,305
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                      625,464
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                            136,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                                  0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                               1,290,431
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                            0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                              0
<LOANS>                                                   3,186,352
<ALLOWANCE>                                                  53,004
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            5,718,441
<DEPOSITS>                                                4,175,741
<SHORT-TERM>                                                395,617
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                         257,732
<LONG-TERM>                                                 191,525
<COMMON>                                                     78,891
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                                  268,935
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                            5,718,441
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                              57,874
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                            14,313
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                              9,340
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                             81,527
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                           27,355
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                           35,701
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                        45,826
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                                     0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                               86
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                              50,155
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                              20,001
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                                   20,001
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                  7,716
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                   .27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                   .26
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                                 3.78
<LOANS-NON>                                                  26,681
<LOANS-PAST>                                                  8,950
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                              1,772
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                               1,031
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                             54,455
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                                 1,628
<RECOVERIES>                                                    432
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                            53,004
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                         43,444
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                           9,560
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                           0
        

</TABLE>