FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


[X]  QUARTERLY  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  13 OR 15 (d)  OF  THE  SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997.

                                       OR

[ ]  TRANSACTION  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  13 OR 15 (d) OF THE  SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______________________to _____________________

Commission file number 0-13507

                             RURBAN FINANCIAL CORP.
           _________________________________________________________
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

             Ohio                                         34-1395608
_______________________________             ____________________________________
(State of other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

                    401 Clinton Street, Defiance, Ohio 43512
           _________________________________________________________
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                   (Zip Code)

                                  (419)783-8950
           _________________________________________________________
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                      None
           _________________________________________________________
             (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if
                          changed since last report.)


        Indicate by check mark whether the  registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by section 13 or 15 (d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                          Yes __X__           No _____

     The  number of common  shares of Rurban  Financial  Corp.  outstanding  was
2,287,851 on May 1, 1997.


                                      -1-



                         PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial statements

        The interim consolidated  financial statements of Rurban Financial Corp.
are  unaudited;   however,   the  information   contained  herein  reflects  all
adjustments  which are,  in the  opinion  of  management,  necessary  for a fair
presentation  of financial  condition and results of operations  for the interim
periods presented.  All adjustments  reflected in these financial statements are
of a normal  recurring nature in accordance with Rule 10-01(b) (8) of Regulation
S-X.  Results of  operations  for the three  months ended March 31, 1997 are not
necessarily indicative of the results for the complete year.



                                      -2-



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

RURBAN FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                       March 31      December 31
                                                         1997           1996
                                                      -----------    -----------
                                                      (Unaudited)      (Note)

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks                              $ 17,016,254   $ 18,718,263
Federal funds sold                                     19,182,582     15,309,000
                                                     ------------   ------------
   TOTAL CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                     36,198,836     34,027,263
Interest-bearing deposits in other
   financial institutions                                 180,000        180,000
Securities available for sale                          67,134,780     66,635,889
Loans held for sale, net of valuation allowance of
   $86,000 in 1997 and $31,119 in 1996                  2,206,172      1,875,636
Loans, net of allowance for losses of $5,274,050
   in 1997 and $5,066,600 in 1996                     317,914,551    313,379,240
Premises and equipment, net                             8,904,426      8,827,838
Accrued interest and other assets                       9,797,731      8,346,907
                                                     ------------   ------------

                         TOTAL ASSETS                $442,336,496   $433,272,773
                                                     ============   ============


                                      -3-



                                                               March 31          December 31
                                                                 1997               1996
                                                             -----------         -----------
                                                             (Unaudited)           (Note)
                                                                                   
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
        Deposits:
        Noninterest bearing                                 $  43,137,462      $  42,323,683
        Interest bearing                                      351,895,158        345,442,390
                                                            -------------      -------------
                             TOTAL DEPOSITS                   395,032,620        387,766,073

        Accrued expenses and other liabilities                  5,163,032          4,018,052
                                                            -------------      -------------
                              TOTAL LIABILITIES               400,195,652        391,784,125

        Common stock subject to repurchase obligation
           in ESOP (shares outstanding:
           1997 - 328,582, 1996 - 328,582)                      9,387,588          9,387,588
        Unearned ESOP shares (unearned shares:
           1997 - 46,879, 1996 - 46,879)                       (1,490,000)        (1,490,000)
        Common stock, stated value $2.50 per share
           Authorized--10,000,000 shares
           1,959,269 shares issued and outstanding
           in 1997 and 1996                                     4,898,173          4,898,173
        Additional paid-in capital                              8,672,955          8,672,955
        Retained Earnings                                      20,955,448         20,024,916
        Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
           on securities available-for-sale (net of tax
           of $145,953 in 1997 and $(2,567) in 1996)             (283,320)            (4,984)
                                                            -------------      -------------

                             TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
                             SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY           $ 442,336,496      $ 433,272,773
                                                            =============      =============


See notes to condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements

Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 1996 has been derived from the audited
      financial statement at that date.




                                      -4-



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

RURBAN FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                                       March 31
                                                            ----------------------------
                                                                1997             1996
                                                                               
Interest Income:
        Interest and fees on loans                          $ 7,438,472      $ 6,697,541
        Interest and dividends on securities:
        Taxable                                                 899,304        1,126,254
        Tax-exempt                                               78,511          111,425
        Other                                                   266,514          106,714
                                                            -----------      -----------
           TOTAL INTEREST INCOME                              8,682,801        8,041,934

Interest Expense:
        Deposits                                              3,776,545        3,556,004
        Short-term borrowings                                     7,798           11,809
                                                            -----------      -----------
        TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE                                3,784,343        3,567,813
                                                            -----------      -----------
        NET INTEREST INCOME                                   4,898,458        4,474,121
        Provision for losses                                    216,000          256,009
                                                            -----------      -----------
           NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER
                PROVISION FOR LOSSES                          4,682,458        4,218,112

Noninterest income:
        Trust Department                                        574,445          508,315
        Service charges on deposit accounts                     274,112          281,997
        Data processing fees                                    623,649          617,014
        (Loss) on sale of securities available-for-sale          (2,687)           - - -
        Net Gain (loss) on sale of loans                        200,656           (2,765)
        Other                                                   162,789          135,373
                                                            -----------      -----------
           TOTAL NONINTEREST INCOME                           1,832,964        1,539,934

Noninterest expense:
        Salaries and employee benefits                        2,372,774        1,952,077
        Net occupancy expense                                   253,267          253,420
        Equipment expense                                       513,077          518,947
        Other                                                 1,396,097        1,323,578
                                                            -----------      -----------
           TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSE                          4,535,215       4 ,048,022
               BEFORE INCOME TAXES                            1,980,207        1,710,024
        Income Tax Expense                                      637,862          567,337
                                                            -----------      -----------
           NET INCOME                                       $ 1,342,345      $ 1,142,687
                                                            ===========      ===========

Net income per Common Share (Note B)                        $      0.59      $      0.52
Average shares outstanding (Note B)                           2,287,851        2,184,378

See notes to condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements




                                      -5-



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHARE HOLDERS EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)

RURBAN FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES


                Three month periods ended March 31, 1996 and 1997
                                                                                       Net Unrealized
                                                                                        Appreciation
                                                                                     (Depreciation) on
                                                           Additional               Securities Available
                                               Common       Paid-In        Retained     For Sale, Net
                                                Stock       Capital        Earnings         of Tax
                                             ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    
Balances at January 1, 1996                  $4,717,277    $5,798,813    $ 19,779,897     $ 449,477

Net income for the three month period              --            --         1,142,687          --

Cash dividends declared ($0.15 per share)          --            --          (327,656)         --

Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on securities available
for sale, net of tax of ($74,827)                  --            --              --        (145,253)
                                             ------------------------------------------------------
Balances at March 31, 1996                   $4,717,277    $5,798,813    $ 20,594,928     $ 304,224
                                             ======================================================

Balances at January 1, 1997                  $4,898,173    $8,672,955    $ 20,024,916     $  (4,984)

Net income for the three month period              --            --         1,342,345          --

Cash dividends declared ($0.18 per share)          --            --          (411,813)         --

Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on securities available
for sale, net of tax of $(143,385)                 --            --              --        (278,336)
                                             ------------------------------------------------------

Balance at March 31, 1997                    $4,898,173    $8,672,955    $ 20,955,448     $(283,320)
                                             ======================================================


                                      -6-



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

RURBAN FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                                                       March 31
                                                                           -------------------------------
                                                                                1997             1996
                                                                                               
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
   Cash received from customers' fees and commissions                      $  1,634,995     $  1,539,934
   Cash paid to suppliers and employees                                      (4,373,832)      (3,694,180)
   Loans originated for sale                                                 (5,092,949)      (7,592,417)
   Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale                                 4,963,069        4,363,181
   Interest received                                                          8,640,874        7,614,982
   Interest paid                                                             (3,782,321)      (3,588,032)
   Income taxes paid                                                           (575,000)        (970,000)
                                                                           ------------     ------------
      Net cash from operating activities                                      1,414,836       (2,326,533)
                                                                           ------------     ------------

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
   Net decrease in interest earning deposits
      in other financial institutions                                              --               --   
   Proceeds from principal repayments, maturities and calls of:
      Securities available-for-sale                                          14,162,927       13,900,334
   Purchase of securities available-for-sale                                (15,117,597)      (5,159,101)
   Net (increase)/decrease in loans                                          (4,927,311)      (7,297,930)
   Recoveries on loan charge-offs                                               176,000           77,142
   Premises and equipment expenditures                                         (392,016)         (11,102)
                                                                           ------------     ------------
      Net cash from investing activities                                      6,097,997)       1,509,343
                                                                           ------------     ------------

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
   Net increase/(decrease) in deposits                                        7,266,547       (6,304,917)
   Dividends paid                                                              (411,813)        (327,656)
                                                                           ------------     ------------
      Net cash from financing activities                                      6,854,734       (6,632,573)
                                                                           ------------     ------------

Net Change In Cash And Cash Equivalents                                       2,171,573       (7,449,763)

Cash And Cash Equivalents At Beginning Of Year                               34,027,263       28,379,656
                                                                           ------------     ------------

Cash And Cash Equivalents At End Of Period                                 $ 36,198,836     $ 20,929,893
                                                                           ============     ============


                                      -7-




CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS -- CONTINUED (UNAUDITED)

                                                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                                                       March 31
                                                                           -------------------------------
                                                                                1997             1996
Reconciliation Of Net Income To Net
   Cash From Operating Activities
   Net income                                                              $  1,342,345     $  1,142,687
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating
      activities:
          Depreciation and amortization                                         346,798          309,723
          Amortization of intangible assets                                      45,000          134,500
          Provision for loan losses                                             216,000          256,009
          Loss on available for sale securities sold                              2,687            - - -
          Loans originated for sale                                          (5,092,949)      (7,592,418)
          Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale                          4,963,069        4,363,181
          Net (gains)/losses on loan sales                                     (200,656)           2,765
          Increase/(decrease) in other liabilities and interest payable       1,144,980          (44,945)
          (Increase)/decrease in other assets and interest receivable        (1,352,438)        (898,035)
                                                                           ------------     ------------
             Net cash from operating activities                            $  1,414,836     $ (2,326,533)
                                                                           ============     ============


                                      -8-



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

RURBAN FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTE A--BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly,  they
do not include  all of the  information  and  footnotes  required  by  generally
accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

For further  information,  refer to the  consolidated  financial  statements and
footnotes  included  in the  Corporation's  annual  report  for the  year  ended
December 31, 1996.

NOTE B--EARNINGS AND DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE

Earnings  per common  share have been  computed  based on the  weighted  average
number of shares outstanding during the periods presented.  The number of shares
used in the  computation of earnings per common share was 2,287,851 for 1997 and
2,184,378 for 1996.

NOTE C - ACCOUNTING STANDARDS IMPLEMENTED IN 1997

SFAS No. 125,  Accounting  for  Transfer and  Servicing of Financial  Assets and
Extinguishment of Liabilities,  provides  accounting and reporting standards for
transfers and servicing of financial assets and  extinguishments  of liabilities
and requires a consistent  application of a  financial-components  approach that
focuses on control.  Under that approach,  after a transfer of financial assets,
an entity  recognizes  the financial  and  servicing  assets it controls and the
liabilities it has incurred and derecognizes liabilities when extinguished. SFAS
No. 125 also  supersedes  SFAS No. 122, and requires that  servicing  assets and
liabilities be  subsequently  measured by amortization in proportion to and over
the period of estimated  net  servicing  obligation  based on their fair values.
SFAS No. 125 applies to transfers and  extinguishments  occurring after December
31, 1996, and early or retroactive application is not permitted.  The statements
will not have a  material  effect on the  Corporation's  consolidated  financial
position or results of operations.

NOTE D - RISK ELEMENTS AND LOAN LOSS RESERVE

There have been no changes in the Risk  Elements and Loan Loss Reserve  activity
that would materially effect the Corporation's  financial position or results of
operations for the three months ended March 31, 1997.


                                      -9-



Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations

Rurban  Financial Corp.  ("Rurban") was incorporated on February 23, 1983, under
the laws of the State of Ohio. Rurban is a bank holding company  registered with
the  Federal  Reserve  Board  under the Bank  Holding  Company  Act of 1956,  as
amended. Rurban's subsidiaries, The State Bank and Trust Company ("State Bank"),
The Peoples Banking Company ("Peoples Bank"),  The First National Bank of Ottawa
("First National Bank") and The Citizens Savings Bank Company  ("Citizens Bank")
are  engaged  only in the  industry  segment  of  commercial  banking.  Rurban's
subsidiary,  Rurbanc Data Services,  Inc., ("RDSI"),  provides computerized data
processing  services  for the  Corporation's  subsidiary  banks as well as other
banks  and  businesses.  Rurban's  subsidiary,  Rurban  Life  Insurance  Company
("Rurban  Life") has a  certificate  of  authority  from the State of Arizona to
transact insurance as a domestic life and disability reinsurer.

During the first quarter of 1997, the  Corporation  opened Peoples  Savings Bank
d.b.a. Rurban Mortgage Company, a residential mortgage loan production office in
Clearwater,  Florida.  This  office  underwrites,  processes,  closes  and sells
residential  first mortgages  acquired through a network of real estate mortgage
brokers in the Tampa Bay market.

LIQUIDITY

Liquidity relates  primarily to the  Corporation's  ability to fund loan demand,
meet  deposit  customers'  withdrawal  requirements  and provide  for  operating
expenses.  Assets used to satisfy  these needs  consist of cash,  federal  funds
sold,  securities and loans held for sale. These assets are commonly referred to
as liquid assets.  Liquid assets were $106 million at March 31, 1997 compared to
$103  million at December  31, 1996.  The $3 million  increase in liquid  assets
represents  normal  fluctuation  and was  not due to any  change  in  policy  of
management regarding liquidity.  Management  recognizes that securities may need
to be sold in the future to help fund loan demand and, accordingly,  as of March
31, 1997,  the entire  securities  portfolio of $67.1 million was  classified as
available-for-sale.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

Total shareholders' equity plus common stock subject to repurchase obligation in
ESOP,  net of unearned  ESOP shares was  $42,141,000  as of March 31,  1997,  an
increase of $652,000 over  $41,489,000 as of December 31, 1996. The increase was
primarily  due to 1997 net income of  $1,342,000,  offset by cash  dividends  of
$412,000  and  a  net  change  in  unrealized  appreciation   (depreciation)  in
securities available for sale, net of tax of $(279,000).

The Corporation's  subsidiaries exceed the applicable minimum regulatory capital
requirements at March 31, 1997.

As of March 31, 1997, management is not aware of any current  recommendations by
banking  regulatory  authorities  which, if they were to be  implemented,  would
have,  or are  reasonably  likely  to have,  a  material  adverse  effect on the
Corporation's liquidity, capital resources or operations.



                                      -10-



Supplemental Information

Nonperforming  loans increased  $290,000 from December 31, 1996 to $1,345,000 or
0.42% of net loans at March 31, 1997.

Material Changes in Financial Condition

Loans grew $4.5  million  from  December  31, 1996 to $318  million at March 31,
1997; an annualized rate of 5.8 %.

Deposits  grew $7.2 million from  December 31, 1996 to $395 million at March 31,
1997; an annualized rate of 7.5%.

Material Changes in Results of Operations

Net  interest  income for the quarter  ended March 31, 1997 was  $4,898,458,  an
increase of $424,337  (9.5%) over the same period in 1996.  This increase is due
to an  increase  in the amount of earning  assets and a  favorable  increase  in
yields on those assets.

Total  noninterest  income  increased  $293,030 to  $1,832,964  due mainly to an
increase  of $66,130 in Trust  Department  fees and a March 1997 entry to record
the $230,000  estimated  value of servicing  rights on $23 million of loans sold
since the adoption of FAS 122 on January 1, 1996.


Total  noninterest  expense  increased  $487,193 for the quarter ended March 31,
1997  when  compared  to the same  period  in 1996.  This was due  primarily  to
increases in salaries and benefits of $420,697.

Income tax expense for the quarter was $637,862, an increase of $70,525 over the
same period in 1996 due to an increase in taxable income.

The result of all these  factors  was an  increase  in net income of $199,658 to
$1,342,345  for the three months ended March 31, 1997 when  compared to the same
period in 1996.



                                      -11-



                           PART 11 - OTHER INFORMATION



Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(A)   Exhibits

      See index on exhibits on pages 13 and 14

(B)   Reports on Form 8-K

      None


                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the  undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.

                                                   RURBAN FINANCIAL CORP.


Date:  May 15, 1997                        By  /s/ Thomas C. Williams
                                               _________________________________
                                                   Thomas C. Williams
                                                   President & CEO


                                           By  /s/ Richard C. Warrener
                                               _________________________________
                                                   Richard C. Warrener
                                                   Senior Vice President &
                                                   Chief Financial Officer






                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


EXHIBIT NO.                      DESCRIPTION
- -----------                      -----------


27                               FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE