<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>  9
<LEGEND>     
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM     
FORM 10-K DATED DECEMBER 31, 1997 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-31-1997     
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997     
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997     
<CASH>                                         186,091   
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                         241,813     
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               549,000     
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0     
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,672,550     
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0     
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0     
<LOANS>                                      2,884,373     
<ALLOWANCE>                                     52,381     
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,846,426     
<DEPOSITS>                                   4,297,918     
<SHORT-TERM>                                   352,508     
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            191,293     
<LONG-TERM>                                    191,525     
<COMMON>                                        78,654     
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0     
<PREFERRED>                                      4,000     
<OTHER-SE>                                     380,528     
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               5,846,426     
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                208,100     
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               83,939     
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                38,753     
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               330,792     
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             119,563     
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             151,501     
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          179,291     
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  (12,000)     
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               3,500     
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                186,030     
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 93,185     
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      93,185     
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0     
<CHANGES>                                            0     
<NET-INCOME>                                    50,879     
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.32     
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.27     
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.81     
<LOANS-NON>                                      3,793     
<LOANS-PAST>                                     7,279     
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   101     
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 10,000     
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                64,486     
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    3,244     
<RECOVERIES>                                     3,716     
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               52,381     
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            37,162     
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                             15,219     
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0     
        


</TABLE>