<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE SANDY
SPRING BANCORP, INC. ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          43,616
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           1,343
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 4,582
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    539,642
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          55,457
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            55,764
<LOANS>                                        629,894
<ALLOWANCE>                                      7,350
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,343,471
<DEPOSITS>                                     954,471
<SHORT-TERM>                                   257,026
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              6,571
<LONG-TERM>                                     14,366
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         9,586
<OTHER-SE>                                     101,351
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,343,471
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 52,538
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               29,763
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 1,971
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                84,272
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              29,194
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              38,749
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           45,523
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      552
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 853
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 34,053
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,041
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      23,041
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,105
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.66
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.40
<LOANS-NON>                                        832
<LOANS-PAST>                                       965
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     4
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                  9,894
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 7,016
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      335
<RECOVERIES>                                       117
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                7,350
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             2,213
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          5,137