<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FIFTH THIRD
BANCORP'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         720,133
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          27,224
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 2,200
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  6,397,077
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          72,236
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            72,236
<LOANS>                                     13,438,717
<ALLOWANCE>                                    200,931
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              21,375,054
<DEPOSITS>                                  14,914,132
<SHORT-TERM>                                 3,060,931
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            664,702
<LONG-TERM>                                    457,878
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       344,599
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,932,812
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              21,375,054
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              1,043,102
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              433,105
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 2,181
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,478,388
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             531,631
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             733,426
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          744,962
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   80,342
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               6,326
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                506,158
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                603,923
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     401,237
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   401,237
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.59
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.54
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.11
<LOANS-NON>                                     37,401
<LOANS-PAST>                                    46,281
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   128
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 29,145
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               187,278
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   91,801
<RECOVERIES>                                    23,407
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              200,931
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           200,931
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0