<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Provident Financial Group, Inc.'s 10-Q for June 30, 1999 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statments.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                         227,137
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                15,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                15,404
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,628,309
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                      5,841,836
<ALLOWANCE>                                     80,122
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,492,353
<DEPOSITS>                                   5,751,349
<SHORT-TERM>                                   781,472
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            447,544
<LONG-TERM>                                    794,944
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,000
<COMMON>                                        12,825
<OTHER-SE>                                     697,219
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               8,492,353
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                267,298
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               50,257
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 2,813
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               320,368
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             111,132
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             168,943
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          151,425
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   20,950
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 106
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                146,959
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                107,000
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      69,281
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    69,281
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.56
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.86
<LOANS-NON>                                     55,333
<LOANS-PAST>                                    23,280
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 1,565
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 45,839
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                75,907
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   22,365
<RECOVERIES>                                     5,630
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               80,122
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            80,122
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0