<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Provident
Financial Group, Inc.'s (known as Provident Bancorp, Inc. until June 2, 1997)
10-Q for June 30, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.  Junior Subordinated Debentures were reclassified from
long-term debt to other liabilities starting with the June 30, 1997 FDS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         229,217
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                   551
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,333,264
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                      5,205,897
<ALLOWANCE>                                     78,296
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,985,035
<DEPOSITS>                                   4,705,472
<SHORT-TERM>                                   787,312
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            274,812
<LONG-TERM>                                    648,336
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,000
<COMMON>                                        12,113
<OTHER-SE>                                     549,990
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               6,985,035
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                241,540
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               37,342
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   640
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               279,522
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             107,929
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             150,442
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          129,080
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   26,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               3,253
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 96,722
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 85,535
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      55,507
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    55,507
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.28
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.05
<LOANS-NON>                                     36,577
<LOANS-PAST>                                    20,460
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   246
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 21,769
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                66,693
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   20,532
<RECOVERIES>                                     5,801
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               78,296
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            78,296
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>