<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Provident
Bancorp, Inc.'s 10-Q for June 30, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                         165,019
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,121,010
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                      4,996,007
<ALLOWANCE>                                     61,169
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,428,464
<DEPOSITS>                                   4,248,609
<SHORT-TERM>                                   819,523
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            136,270
<LONG-TERM>                                    765,721
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,000
<COMMON>                                        11,715
<OTHER-SE>                                     439,626
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               6,428,464
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                220,178
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               32,502
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   730
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               253,410
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              94,079
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             137,297
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          116,113
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   23,750
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  96
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 72,878
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 60,868
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      39,925
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,925
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.46<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.44<F1>
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.97
<LOANS-NON>                                     18,863
<LOANS-PAST>                                    25,426
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   551
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 36,402
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                60,235
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   24,807
<RECOVERIES>                                     1,991
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               61,169
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            61,169
<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.  Prior financial data schedules have not been restated
for this recapitalization.
</FN>