<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FORM 10-K DATED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000350847
<NAME> RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                       DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                          JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                            DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                                      155,003
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                      696,181
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                             75,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                                  0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                 970,728
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                            0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                              0
<LOANS>                                                   3,258,135
<ALLOWANCE>                                                  54,455
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            5,502,331
<DEPOSITS>                                                4,144,848
<SHORT-TERM>                                                374,380
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                          48,850
<LONG-TERM>                                                 191,525
<COMMON>                                                     78,888
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                                  313,840
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                            5,502,331
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                             238,564
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                            69,508
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                             45,730
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                            353,802
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                          126,129
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                          163,450
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                       190,352
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                                     0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                           15,023
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                             193,752
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                             110,882
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                                  110,882
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                 61,847
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  1.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  1.21
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                                 3.78
<LOANS-NON>                                                  26,831
<LOANS-PAST>                                                 25,269
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                              2,920
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                                   0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                             52,381
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                                 4,122
<RECOVERIES>                                                  6,102
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                            54,455
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                         43,838
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                          10,617
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                           0
        

</TABLE>