<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                            9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                          1
<CASH>                                              65,151
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                   0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                         0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                         0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                      1,321,821
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                   0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                     0
<LOANS>                                          3,125,766
<ALLOWANCE>                                         39,943
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,794,762
<DEPOSITS>                                       3,236,301
<SHORT-TERM>                                       421,703
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                 48,040
<LONG-TERM>                                        757,274
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               39,238
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                            24,787
<OTHER-SE>                                         267,419
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                   4,794,762
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                    171,955
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                   60,164
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     2,339
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                   234,458
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                  94,462
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 137,877
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                               96,581
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        8,244
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   3,521
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                     48,716
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     43,142
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                          43,142
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                        28,930
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         1.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         1.13
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                        3.17
<LOANS-NON>                                         15,477
<LOANS-PAST>                                        24,001
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                         0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                          0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                    36,861
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        6,024
<RECOVERIES>                                           862
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                   39,943
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                39,943
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                  0
        

</TABLE>