<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                            9
<LEGEND>
     This schedule contains summary 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-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                  JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                    JUN-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                        1
<CASH>                                           112,077
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                 0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                       0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                       0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    1,711,987
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                 0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                   0
<LOANS>                                        3,510,548
<ALLOWANCE>                                       46,714
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 5,482,876
<DEPOSITS>                                     3,920,356
<SHORT-TERM>                                     514,391
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                               43,882
<LONG-TERM>                                      670,526
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             67,933
<PREFERRED>                                            0
<COMMON>                                          27,524
<OTHER-SE>                                       238,264
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 5,482,876
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  138,440
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                 60,276
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   1,125
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 199,841
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                85,168
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               119,868
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                             79,973
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                     17,335
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 7,858
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                   41,085
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   29,411
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                        20,110
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      770
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                      20,880
<EPS-BASIC>                                         0.79
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       0.77
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                      3.12
<LOANS-NON>                                       26,161
<LOANS-PAST>                                      28,378
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                       0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                        0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                  39,780
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                     11,281
<RECOVERIES>                                         880
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                 46,714
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                              46,714
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                    0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                0


</TABLE>