<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Provident Financial Group, Inc.'s 10-K for December 31, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         274,521
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 1,720
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,371,507
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                      5,051,842
<ALLOWANCE>                                     71,980
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,123,659
<DEPOSITS>                                   4,696,298
<SHORT-TERM>                                   806,125
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            295,818
<LONG-TERM>                                    688,157
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,000
<COMMON>                                        12,482
<OTHER-SE>                                     617,779
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               7,123,659
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                492,114
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               78,226
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   872
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               571,212
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             221,449
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             309,212
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          262,000
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   44,750
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               9,713
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                225,978
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                176,630
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     115,302
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   115,302
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.79
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.63
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.02
<LOANS-NON>                                     46,419
<LOANS-PAST>                                     9,811
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   377
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 31,798
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                66,693
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   51,373
<RECOVERIES>                                    10,096
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               71,980
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            71,980
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0