<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF POPULAR, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                  1,000
<CASH>                                         543,565
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                         102,525
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               720,511
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               253,129
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  6,223,460
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         258,032
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           261,084
<LOANS>                                     12,362,527
<ALLOWANCE>                                    245,382
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              21,273,593
<DEPOSITS>                                  12,547,778
<SHORT-TERM>                                 4,984,419
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            422,408
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,605,809
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    100,000
<COMMON>                                       825,200
<OTHER-SE>                                     771,691
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              21,273,593
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                892,096
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              277,413
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                40,545
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,210,054
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             300,346
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             567,917
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          642,137
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  101,756
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               8,469
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                526,043
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                229,396
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     169,836
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   169,836
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.92
<LOANS-NON>                                    255,765
<LOANS-PAST>                                    24,427
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                116,671
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               211,651
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  120,737
<RECOVERIES>                                    38,380
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              245,382
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           229,383
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                             15,999
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0