<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FULTON
FINANCIAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF MARCH 31, 1997 AND THE
RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1997
AND OTHER FINANCIAL DATA INCLUDED WITHIN MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AS OF AND FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 
MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         197,119
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           1,571
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    367,522
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         369,231
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           366,065
<LOANS>                                      3,047,181
<ALLOWANCE>                                     45,006
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,097,922
<DEPOSITS>                                   3,383,110
<SHORT-TERM>                                   148,618
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             88,555
<LONG-TERM>                                     58,648
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        89,934
<OTHER-SE>                                     329,057
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               4,097,922
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 63,357
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               10,820
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                    46
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                74,223
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              28,476
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              31,466
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           42,757
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    1,794
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               1,980
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 29,249
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,907
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      15,395
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,395
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.43
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.71
<LOANS-NON>                                     15,719
<LOANS-PAST>                                     7,486
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                43,829
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    1,323
<RECOVERIES>                                       706
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               45,006
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            45,006
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0