<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF POPULAR, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                         567,143
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          74,986
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               715,618
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               320,416
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  6,804,004
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         316,860
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           310,389
<LOANS>                                     13,887,392
<ALLOWANCE>                                    282,590
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              23,665,621
<DEPOSITS>                                  13,902,387
<SHORT-TERM>                                 5,874,213
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            416,849
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,806,723
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    100,000
<COMMON>                                       826,595
<OTHER-SE>                                     724,087
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              23,665,621
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                661,772
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              210,845
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                24,979
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               897,596
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             220,970
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             422,507
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          475,089
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   72,402
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 736
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                407,922
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                170,377
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     127,641
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   127,641
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.67
<LOANS-NON>                                    273,008
<LOANS-PAST>                                    23,206
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                149,651
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               267,249
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   86,068
<RECOVERIES>                                    29,007
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              282,590
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           255,867
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                             26,723
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0