<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
IN FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1997, FOR EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP.
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIREY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           3,242
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          14,579
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     52,998
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          60,062
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            60,905
<LOANS>                                        444,514
<ALLOWANCE>                                      1,500
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 588,634
<DEPOSITS>                                     511,619
<SHORT-TERM>                                     1,040
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              4,973
<LONG-TERM>                                     26,828
<COMMON>                                         9,831
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      34,343
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 588,634
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  8,764
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                1,922
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   181
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                10,867
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               6,357
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,727
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            4,140
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       78
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  2,286
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,201
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       2,201
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,437
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.28
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.95
<LOANS-NON>                                        421
<LOANS-PAST>                                     1,033
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   535
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 1,423
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        5
<RECOVERIES>                                         4
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                1,500
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             1,500
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0