<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
the Consolidated Financial Statements at June 30, 1997, and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the December 31, 1996 Consolidated
Financial Statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000885694
<NAME> COVEST BANCSHARES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                    
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                  
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997 
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997 
 
<CASH>                                          19,970 
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0 
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0 
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0 
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    138,827       
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         138,827       
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           138,827       
<LOANS>                                        362,418       
<ALLOWANCE>                                      1,489       
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 536,418       
<DEPOSITS>                                     404,578       
<SHORT-TERM>                                    47,114         
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              9,827      
<LONG-TERM>                                     25,000          
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0          
<PREFERRED>                                          0          
<COMMON>                                            34          
<OTHER-SE>                                      49,865          
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                  49,899                
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 13,639                
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                5,515                
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   446                
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                19,600                
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               9,600                
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,923                
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            7,677                
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      753                
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 874                
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  5,309                
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,518                
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       2,304                
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                
<CHANGES>                                            0                
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,304                
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .71                
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .71                
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    7.44                
<LOANS-NON>                                        213                
<LOANS-PAST>                                     1,132                
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0                
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0                
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 1,424                
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      717                
<RECOVERIES>                                        29                
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                  753                
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                               753                
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0                
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0                
        

</TABLE>