<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 September 30, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         192,119
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               147,437
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,372,667
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                      5,105,578
<ALLOWANCE>                                     75,242
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,079,578
<DEPOSITS>                                   4,984,056
<SHORT-TERM>                                   535,751
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            293,995
<LONG-TERM>                                    659,005
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,000
<COMMON>                                        12,346
<OTHER-SE>                                     587,425
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               7,079,578
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                366,223
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               59,105
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   706
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               426,034
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             165,201
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             231,473
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          194,561
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   35,500
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               4,449
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                150,919
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                130,935
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      85,009
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    85,009
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.99
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.95
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.00
<LOANS-NON>                                     36,925
<LOANS-PAST>                                    10,504
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   257
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 29,917
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                66,693
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   36,544
<RECOVERIES>                                     7,777
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               75,242
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            75,242
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0