<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Provident
Bancorp, Inc.'s 10-Q for September 30, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         222,861
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 1,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,064,373
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                      5,047,441
<ALLOWANCE>                                     63,665
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,483,920
<DEPOSITS>                                   4,418,143
<SHORT-TERM>                                   770,769
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            158,267
<LONG-TERM>                                    665,579
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,000
<COMMON>                                        11,730
<OTHER-SE>                                     452,432
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               6,483,920
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                333,678
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               50,169
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   830
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               384,677
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             141,918
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             208,189
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          176,488
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   37,750
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  96
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                124,402
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 87,243
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      57,200
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    57,200
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.09<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.05<F1>
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.96
<LOANS-NON>                                     22,804
<LOANS-PAST>                                    19,989
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   787
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 35,571
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                60,235
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   37,587
<RECOVERIES>                                     3,267
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               63,665
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            63,665
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Earnings per share has been adjusted for a 3-for-2 stock split which was
effective May 24, 1996.  Financial data schedules prior to the June 30, 1996
10-Q filing have not been restated for this recapitalization.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>