<ARTICLE> 9
<CIK> 0000708955
<NAME> FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
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