<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AS OF MARCH 31, 1998, FROM THE INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND FROM MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERNCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                     242,131,000
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                         100,000
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                           197,486,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>              1,613,598,000
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                      24,544,000
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                        24,597,000
<LOANS>                                  4,914,965,000
<ALLOWANCE>                                107,044,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           7,136,905,000
<DEPOSITS>                               5,668,823,000
<SHORT-TERM>                               374,279,000
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                        108,705,000
<LONG-TERM>                                 50,007,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                   142,574,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 792,517,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>           7,136,905,000
<INTEREST-LOAN>                            109,516,000
<INTEREST-INVEST>                           24,221,000
<INTEREST-OTHER>                             1,900,000
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                           135,637,000
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                          44,845,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          50,230,000
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                       85,407,000
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                2,488,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               9,000
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                             52,355,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             55,759,000
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                  55,759,000
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                35,519,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .49
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    5.24
<LOANS-NON>                                 26,338,000
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                              4,915,000
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                           106,097,000
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                2,222,000
<RECOVERIES>                                   681,000
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                          107,044,000
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                       107,044,000
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0