<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BANPONCE CORPORATION FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                  1,000
<CASH>                                         447,113
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          59,831
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               728,381
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               263,478
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  3,963,115
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       1,430,700
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         1,429,703
<LOANS>                                      9,889,254
<ALLOWANCE>                                    191,360
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              17,401,458
<DEPOSITS>                                  10,465,153
<SHORT-TERM>                                 3,880,322
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            338,127
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,428,472
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    100,000
<COMMON>                                       396,731
<OTHER-SE>                                     790,784
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              17,401,458
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                246,353
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               75,111
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                12,801
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               334,265
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              86,195
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             153,621
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          180,644
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   23,687
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                              (1,660)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                142,125
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 69,087
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      49,539
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    49,539
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.90
<LOANS-NON>                                    164,069
<LOANS-PAST>                                    11,395
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 3,295
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                131,408
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               185,574
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   30,313
<RECOVERIES>                                    12,412
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              191,360
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           190,408
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                952
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0