<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM JUNE 30,
1997 FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997 JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997 JUN-30-1997
<CASH> 6,163 6,163
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 0 0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 3,300 3,300
<TRADING-ASSETS> 0 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 56,429 56,429
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 1,788 1,788
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 1,923 1,923
<LOANS> 58,377 58,377
<ALLOWANCE> 1,493 1,493
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 136,770 136,770
<DEPOSITS> 123,671 123,671
<SHORT-TERM> 0 0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 717 717
<LONG-TERM> 0 0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0
<PREFERRED> 0 0
<COMMON> 7,428 7,428
<OTHER-SE> 4,954 4,954
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 136,770 136,770
<INTEREST-LOAN> 1,504 3,328
<INTEREST-INVEST> 977 1,645
<INTEREST-OTHER> 67 202
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 2,548 5,175
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 960 1,785
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 960 1,785
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 1,588 3,390
<LOAN-LOSSES> 20 (60)
<SECURITIES-GAINS> 0 0
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 1,698 3,346
<INCOME-PRETAX> 281 821
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 281 821
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 206 546
<EPS-PRIMARY> .15 .40
<EPS-DILUTED> .15 .40
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 5.22 5.97
<LOANS-NON> 609 609
<LOANS-PAST> 14 14
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 1,132 1,132
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 0 0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> 1,464 1,207
<CHARGE-OFFS> 4 8
<RECOVERIES> 13 354
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 1,493 1,493
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 1,493 1,493
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 0 0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 751 751