<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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<CASH>                                         67,057
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                              0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                    0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                    0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                   989,372
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                              0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                0
<LOANS>                                     2,788,374
<ALLOWANCE>                                    37,769
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              4,024,894
<DEPOSITS>                                  2,879,861
<SHORT-TERM>                                  334,307
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            42,374
<LONG-TERM>                                   488,297
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                       23,538
<OTHER-SE>                                    256,517
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              4,024,894
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                56,080
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              16,733
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                  883
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               73,696
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             30,047
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             41,956
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          31,740
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   2,975
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                              1,209
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                16,062
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                13,912
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     13,912
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                    9,305
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.38
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                   3.42
<LOANS-NON>                                    14,325
<LOANS-PAST>                                   24,256
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                    0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                     0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               36,861
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   2,305
<RECOVERIES>                                      238
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              37,769
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           37,769
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                             0
        

</TABLE>