<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS IN
FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, FOR EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           9,362
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          16,718
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     63,110
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          35,531
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            35,863
<LOANS>                                        465,856
<ALLOWANCE>                                      1,740
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 615,799
<DEPOSITS>                                     529,373
<SHORT-TERM>                                     1,042
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              7,751
<LONG-TERM>                                     26,782
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         9,831
<OTHER-SE>                                      41,020
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 615,799
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  9,411
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                1,506
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   243
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                11,160
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               6,518
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,934
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            4,226
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      114
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  2,393
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,754
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       2,754
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,856
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .17
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.92
<LOANS-NON>                                      1,556
<LOANS-PAST>                                       304
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                     0
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        0
<RECOVERIES>                                         1
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                1,740
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             1,740
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0