<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MARCH 31, 1998
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR HAMILTON BANCORP INC, AND IS QUALIFIED IN 
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          29,372
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          91,571
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                35,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     61,214
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                           3,000
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                      1,069,482
<ALLOWANCE>                                     11,807
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,401,243
<DEPOSITS>                                   1,197,509
<SHORT-TERM>                                     2,388
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             97,262
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            99
<OTHER-SE>                                      57,262
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,401,243
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 23,406
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                1,012
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 2,529
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                26,947
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              14,741
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,864
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           12,083
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    2,315
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  5,936
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,797
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       7,797
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,905
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.48
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.23
<LOANS-NON>                                      9,526
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                10,317
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      827
<RECOVERIES>                                         4
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               11,807
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             2,917
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                              8,890
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                         11,087