<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CHARTER ONE FINANCIAL, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES AS OF AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         118,124
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                50,233
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    301,631
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       4,553,554
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         4,541,092
<LOANS>                                      8,537,874
<ALLOWANCE>                                     65,833
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              14,040,397
<DEPOSITS>                                   7,839,479
<SHORT-TERM>                                   361,182
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            220,569
<LONG-TERM>                                  4,667,674
<COMMON>                                           475
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     951,018
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              14,040,397
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                163,982
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               86,741
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 5,070
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               255,793
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              85,044
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             158,267
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           97,526
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      220
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 46,697
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 65,790
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      65,790
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    44,086
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .93
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .93
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.88
<LOANS-NON>                                     16,447
<LOANS-PAST>                                     8,414
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                13,895
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 31,600
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                65,922
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      404
<RECOVERIES>                                       309
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               65,833
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            65,833
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>