<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FORM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CHARTER ONE FINANCIAL, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
AS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                         195,571
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           5,024
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                15,235
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  2,207,486
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       3,039,126
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         3,103,099
<LOANS>                                     13,645,794
<ALLOWANCE>                                    112,416
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              19,841,639
<DEPOSITS>                                  10,849,413
<SHORT-TERM>                                 1,590,000
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            363,099
<LONG-TERM>                                  5,535,694
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,325
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,502,108
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              19,841,639
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                787,971
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              275,651
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                24,519
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,088,141
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             341,402
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             661,752
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          426,389
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   15,935
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                              12,987
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                242,853
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                301,346
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     301,346
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   200,640
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.46
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.99
<LOANS-NON>                                     57,305
<LOANS-PAST>                                    20,456
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 6,258
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 35,500
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               113,868
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   22,019
<RECOVERIES>                                     4,632
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              112,416
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           112,416
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0