<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Provident Financial Group, Inc.'s 10-Q for March 31, 1999 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                         217,462
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                74,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                29,473
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,723,954
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                      5,937,622
<ALLOWANCE>                                     80,142
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,633,224
<DEPOSITS>                                   5,621,325
<SHORT-TERM>                                 1,122,892
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            371,095
<LONG-TERM>                                    805,440
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,000
<COMMON>                                        12,817
<OTHER-SE>                                     692,655
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               8,633,224
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                131,582
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               24,588
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 1,305
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               157,475
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              55,168
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              84,711
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           72,764
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   12,900
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 (7)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 72,297
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 52,134
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      33,755
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    33,755
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .79
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .76
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.78
<LOANS-NON>                                     45,607
<LOANS-PAST>                                    12,364
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 1,577
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 66,996
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                75,907
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   10,995
<RECOVERIES>                                     2,330
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               80,142
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            80,142
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0