<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-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-31-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                          1
<CASH>                                              84,237
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                   0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                         0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                         0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                      1,686,192
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                   0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                     0
<LOANS>                                          3,348,247
<ALLOWANCE>                                         41,051
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   5,247,507
<DEPOSITS>                                       3,782,312
<SHORT-TERM>                                       540,486
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                 38,833
<LONG-TERM>                                        543,403
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               68,068
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                            26,251
<OTHER-SE>                                         248,154
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                   5,247,507
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                     67,821
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                   29,633
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                       560
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                    98,014
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                  42,695
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  57,595
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                               40,419
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        4,300
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                      79
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                     20,739
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     15,459
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                          15,459
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        770
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                        11,635
<EPS-BASIC>                                           0.46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         0.45
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                        3.23
<LOANS-NON>                                         26,000
<LOANS-PAST>                                        28,512
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                         0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                          0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                    39,780
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        3,418
<RECOVERIES>                                           389
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                   41,051
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                41,051
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                  0


</TABLE>