<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                          1
<CASH>                                              76,211
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                   0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                         0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                         0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                      1,323,419
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                   0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                     0
<LOANS>                                          3,339,731
<ALLOWANCE>                                         40,105
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,914,342
<DEPOSITS>                                       3,656,315
<SHORT-TERM>                                       234,227
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                 38,884
<LONG-TERM>                                        662,733
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               39,155
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                            26,146
<OTHER-SE>                                         256,882
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                   4,914,342
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                    191,869
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                   63,626
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     1,827
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                   257,322
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                 109,292
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 149,367
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                              107,955
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        7,935
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                     312
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                     52,282
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     48,050
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                          48,050
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                        32,620
<EPS-BASIC>                                           1.28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         1.24
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                        3.09
<LOANS-NON>                                          9,526
<LOANS-PAST>                                        28,211
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                         0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                          0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                    42,739
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                       11,717
<RECOVERIES>                                         1,148
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                   40,105
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                40,105
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                  0


</TABLE>