<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Provident Financial Group, Inc.'s 10-Q for September 30, 1998 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                         202,240
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                36,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                98,761
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,608,520
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                      5,679,522
<ALLOWANCE>                                     76,445
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,280,817
<DEPOSITS>                                   5,102,400
<SHORT-TERM>                                 1,172,458
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            390,466
<LONG-TERM>                                    890,365
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,000
<COMMON>                                        12,773
<OTHER-SE>                                     705,355
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               8,280,817
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                388,798
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               72,551
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 5,088
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               466,437
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             165,839
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             258,257
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          208,180
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   19,500
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               9,777
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                206,490
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                145,454
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      94,900
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    94,900
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.11
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.89
<LOANS-NON>                                     35,460
<LOANS-PAST>                                    13,443
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 8,950
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 28,270
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                71,980
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   23,133
<RECOVERIES>                                     8,098
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               76,445
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            76,445
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0