<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>9
<LEGEND>     
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM     
FORM 10-K DATED DECEMBER 31, 1996 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-31-1996     
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996     
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996     
<CASH>                                         211,144   
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                         281,126     
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               540,000     
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0     
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,162,503     
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         0     
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           0     
<LOANS>                                      2,637,834     
<ALLOWANCE>                                     64,486     
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,135,100     
<DEPOSITS>                                   4,050,683     
<SHORT-TERM>                                   255,234     
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             61,882     
<LONG-TERM>                                    191,525     
<COMMON>                                        78,183     
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0     
<PREFERRED>                                      4,000     
<OTHER-SE>                                     343,593     
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               5,135,100     
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                201,414     
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               63,009     
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                28,775     
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               293,198     
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             109,976     
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             139,891     
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          153,307     
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        0     
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               7,170     
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                176,947     
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 72,537     
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      72,537     
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0     
<CHANGES>                                            0     
<NET-INCOME>                                    65,943     
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.79     
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.79     
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.72     
<LOANS-NON>                                      9,876     
<LOANS-PAST>                                     3,849     
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   125     
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                  1,636     
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                56,546     
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    3,676     
<RECOVERIES>                                    10,251     
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               64,486     
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            49,268     
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                             15,218     
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0     
        


</TABLE>