<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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                          1
<CASH>                                              77,137
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                   0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                         0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                         0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                      1,364,477
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                   0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                     0
<LOANS>                                          3,235,026
<ALLOWANCE>                                         38,682
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,899,590
<DEPOSITS>                                       3,569,632
<SHORT-TERM>                                       225,505
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                 39,763
<LONG-TERM>                                        742,025
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               39,250
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                            26,115
<OTHER-SE>                                         257,300
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                   4,899,590
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                    124,734
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                   41,401
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     1,225
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                   167,360
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                  70,598
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  97,196
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                               70,164
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        4,720
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                     312
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                     34,229
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     31,527
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                          31,527
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                        21,315
<EPS-BASIC>                                         0.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         0.81
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                        3.06
<LOANS-NON>                                          8,068
<LOANS-PAST>                                        31,806
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                         0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                          0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                    42,739
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        9,588
<RECOVERIES>                                           811
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                   38,682
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                38,682
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                  0


</TABLE>