<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Provident Financial Group, Inc.'s 10-Q for March 31, 1998 and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         215,073
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,611,115
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                      5,265,159
<ALLOWANCE>                                     72,837
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,699,995
<DEPOSITS>                                   4,953,304
<SHORT-TERM>                                 1,097,772
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            299,060
<LONG-TERM>                                    677,498
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,000
<COMMON>                                        12,702
<OTHER-SE>                                     652,659
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               7,699,995
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                123,142
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               22,757
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   389
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               146,288
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              54,686
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              80,144
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           66,144
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    5,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               3,692
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 64,631
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 46,350
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      30,400
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    30,400
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .71
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .68
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.99
<LOANS-NON>                                     43,414
<LOANS-PAST>                                    17,109
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 9,327
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 33,331
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                71,980
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    7,009
<RECOVERIES>                                     2,866
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               72,837
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            72,837
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0