<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 
THE METROPOLITAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION SEPTEMBER 30, 1994, 10-Q AND IS 
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1994
<CASH>                                          81,845
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          31,082
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    628,912
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       1,625,514
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         1,553,654
<LOANS>                                      5,267,101
<ALLOWANCE>                                     40,425
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,073,094
<DEPOSITS>                                   5,506,425
<SHORT-TERM>                                   795,618
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            135,942
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,137,414
<COMMON>                                           328
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          5
<OTHER-SE>                                     497,362
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               8,073,094
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                301,354
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               91,872
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 4,740
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               397,966
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             169,544
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             233,698
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          164,268
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    9,575
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               (126)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                169,346
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 50,075
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      31,043
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    31,043
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.93
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.92
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.02
<LOANS-NON>                                     31,556
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                16,218
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                42,905
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   17,145
<RECOVERIES>                                     2,136<F1>
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               40,425
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            40,425
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                         27,947
<FN>

<F1> NOT INCLUDED IN RECOVERIES BUT AN ADDITION TO ALLOWANCES FOR LOANS WERE 
     ACQUISITION RESERVES OF $2,136
</FN>