<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>           9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE ALLEGIANT BANCORP, INC. QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-QSB FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           9,144
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                         235,235
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 1,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     22,649
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          39,749
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            39,482
<LOANS>                                        347,634
<ALLOWANCE>                                      3,976
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 427,481
<DEPOSITS>                                     315,017
<SHORT-TERM>                                    74,214
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              1,729
<LONG-TERM>                                     13,663
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            30
<OTHER-SE>                                      22,828
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 427,481
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 14,513
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                1,840
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                    66
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                16,419
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               7,184
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,999
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            7,420
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    1,121
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  4,778
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,167
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       2,167
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,301
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .45
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.75
<LOANS-NON>                                        753
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<LOANS-PAST>                                       119
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 3,100
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      259
<RECOVERIES>                                        13
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                3,976
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             3,976
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          1,152
        

</TABLE>