<ARTICLE> 9
<CIK> 0000354869
<NAME> FIRST MERIT
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                         285,462
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
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<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
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<ALLOWANCE>                                    108,291
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<SHORT-TERM>                                12,175,946
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<LONG-TERM>                                          0
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              93,595
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<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   11,714
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               (714)
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<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
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<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.45
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<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.10
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<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
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