<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                        9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CARDINAL BANKSHARES AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT DECEMBER 31,
1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                       1,941,494
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                         500,000      
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                             3,825,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                 31,663,068
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                      13,430,624
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                        13,614,488
<LOANS>                                     86,756,865
<ALLOWANCE>                                (1,452,126)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             145,072,317
<DEPOSITS>                                 128,188,726
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            899,440
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     5,119,110
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                  10,865,041
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>             145,072,317
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              8,074,494
<INTEREST-INVEST>                            2,650,455
<INTEREST-OTHER>                               353,074
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                            11,078,023
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           5,538,989
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           5,681,456        
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        5,396,567
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  500,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               7,018
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              2,933,398
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              2,506,154
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                   2,506,154
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,853,684
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.62
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.01
<LOANS-NON>                                    278,762
<LOANS-PAST>                                   312,332
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                             1,002,455
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   68,249
<RECOVERIES>                                    17,920
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                            1,452,126
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                         1,452,126
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>