<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                        9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CARDINAL BANKSHARES AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT DECEMBER 30,
1996 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                       2,749,552
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               500,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                 30,338,456
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                      13,383,394
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                        13,361,576
<LOANS>                                     86,374,914
<ALLOWANCE>                                (1,002,455)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             136,421,721
<DEPOSITS>                                 118,424,447
<SHORT-TERM>                                   400,000
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            662,355
<LONG-TERM>                                  2,400,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     4,655,360
<OTHER-SE>                                   9,879,559
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>             136,421,721
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              7,472,380
<INTEREST-INVEST>                            2,646,818
<INTEREST-OTHER>                               169,334
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                            10,288,532
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           5,306,591
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        4,981,941
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  325,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               5,856
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              2,823,562
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              2,176,667
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                   2,176,667
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,582,920
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.40
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.91
<LOANS-NON>                                    139,161
<LOANS-PAST>                                   215,000
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                             1,134,182
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  495,201
<RECOVERIES>                                    38,474
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                            1,002,455
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                         1,002,455
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>