<ARTICLE>   9
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                     9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                 DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                    JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                      SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                                   119,360
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                    15,108
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                          59,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                               0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                              365,463
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                   321,361
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                     321,361
<LOANS>                                                2,673,644
<ALLOWANCE>                                               39,187
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                         3,955,525
<DEPOSITS>                                             3,466,119
<SHORT-TERM>                                              27,729
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                       69,924
<LONG-TERM>                                               37,051
<COMMON>                                                  55,990
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                    0
<OTHER-SE>                                               298,712
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                         3,955,525
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                          180,534
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                         27,558
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                          19,001
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                         227,093
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                       102,818
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                       106,516
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                    120,577
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                              6,125
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                           641
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                           94,954
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                           52,244
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                                52,244
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                              35,488
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                1.58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                1.58
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                               4.65
<LOANS-NON>                                                3,961
<LOANS-PAST>                                               5,131
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                             662
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                                0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                          37,868
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                              6,170
<RECOVERIES>                                               1,364
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                         39,187
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                      39,187
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                            0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                        0