<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                  1,000
<CASH>                                         500,941
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          42,779
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               650,881
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               250,090
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  5,795,668
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         232,316
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           234,489
<LOANS>                                     11,753,213
<ALLOWANCE>                                    224,045
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              19,997,636
<DEPOSITS>                                  12,102,594
<SHORT-TERM>                                 4,537,373
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            350,813
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,412,709
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    100,000
<COMMON>                                       412,426
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,081,267
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              19,997,636
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                589,693
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              183,436
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                26,103
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               799,232
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             199,108
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             372,136
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          427,096
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   67,089
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               3,917
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                347,424
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                153,420
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     112,256
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   112,256
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.97
<LOANS-NON>                                    204,677
<LOANS-PAST>                                    22,450
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     6
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                120,235
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               211,651
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   79,678
<RECOVERIES>                                    24,983
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              224,045
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           222,802
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                              1,243
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0