<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 SEPTEMBER 30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          Dec-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             Jan-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               Sep-30-1997
<CASH>                                          17,242
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                         375,572
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                20,360
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     41,091
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          35,266
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            35,500
<LOANS>                                        439,510
<ALLOWANCE>                                      4,842
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 578,700
<DEPOSITS>                                     473,384
<SHORT-TERM>                                    52,486
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              2,305
<LONG-TERM>                                     15,663
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            37
<OTHER-SE>                                      34,825
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 578,700
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 23,855
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                2,827
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   246
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                26,928
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              11,587
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,728
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           12,200
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    1,677
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  25
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  8,186
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,561
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       2,139
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,139
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.70
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.85
<LOANS-NON>                                        597
<LOANS-PAST>                                       180
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 3,100
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      374
<RECOVERIES>                                        32
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                4,842
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             4,842
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          1,404
        

</TABLE>