<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 THREE AND NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, FOR
EMERALD FINANCIAL CORP. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                           9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                  DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                     JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                       SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                                                   6,796
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                                   8,406
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                                             0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                                             0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                             86,419
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                                   6,772
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                                     6,609
<LOANS>                                                                504,108
<ALLOWANCE>                                                              1,666
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                         642,991
<DEPOSITS>                                                             537,842
<SHORT-TERM>                                                             2,877
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                                      5,794
<LONG-TERM>                                                             86,419
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                                  0
<COMMON>                                                                 9,962
<OTHER-SE>                                                              43,741
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                                         642,991
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                                         28,984
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                                        4,498
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                                           635
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                                        34,117
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                                      20,008
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                      21,296
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                                   12,821
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                                              583
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                                          54
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                                          7,139
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                          8,079
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                                               8,079
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                                  117
<NET-INCOME>                                                             5,602
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                              .54
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                              .52
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                                            2.90
<LOANS-NON>                                                              1,005
<LOANS-PAST>                                                               358
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                                           320
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                                              0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                                             0
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                                              547
<RECOVERIES>                                                                 3
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                                        1,666
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                                     1,666
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                                          0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                                      0