<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
MARCH 31, 2000 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                      78,844,325
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                       2,626,954
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                            22,300,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                541,783,285
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                      24,554,469
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                        24,659,000
<LOANS>                                  1,156,025,736
<ALLOWANCE>                                 14,997,668
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           1,938,481,022
<DEPOSITS>                               1,560,056,107
<SHORT-TERM>                               196,728,747
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                         21,691,206
<LONG-TERM>                                 26,744,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    50,893,427
<OTHER-SE>                                  82,367,535
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>           1,938,481,022
<INTEREST-LOAN>                             25,129,467
<INTEREST-INVEST>                            8,219,135
<INTEREST-OTHER>                               107,605
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                            33,456,207
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                          13,737,386
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          17,379,918
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                       16,076,289
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                1,050,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                              28,204
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                             16,375,687
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              6,363,281
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                   6,363,281
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 4,588,364
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .22
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.57
<LOANS-NON>                                  7,060,000
<LOANS-PAST>                                 1,451,000
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                            14,413,104
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                1,392,290
<RECOVERIES>                                   926,854
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                           14,997,668
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                        14,997,668
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0