<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                            9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Form 
10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000818969
<NAME>                        Provident Bankshares Corporation
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     U.S. Dollars
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                          1
<CASH>                                              64,373
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                   0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                         0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                         0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                      1,483,083
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                   0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                     0
<LOANS>                                          2,749,275
<ALLOWANCE>                                         38,731
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,497,377
<DEPOSITS>                                       2,914,676
<SHORT-TERM>                                       342,101
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                132,923
<LONG-TERM>                                        780,503
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               39,289
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                            24,737
<OTHER-SE>                                         263,148
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                   4,497,377
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                    112,823
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                   36,578
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     1,579
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                   150,980
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                  61,200
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  87,050
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                               63,930
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        6,049
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   1,934
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                     31,457
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     28,358
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                          28,358
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                        19,030
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         0.78
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         0.75
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                        3.30
<LOANS-NON>                                         13,669
<LOANS-PAST>                                        23,356
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                         0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                          0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                    36,861
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        4,725
<RECOVERIES>                                           546
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                   38,731
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                38,731
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                  0
        

</TABLE>