<ARTICLE> 9
<CIK> 0000708955
<NAME> FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999 JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1999 DEC-31-1998
<CASH> 144,856 164,500
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 3,933 2,598
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 18,973 8,654
<TRADING-ASSETS> 0 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 515,593 550,394
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<ALLOWANCE> 37,505 34,800
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<DEPOSITS> 2,913,364 2,872,067
<SHORT-TERM> 285,629 155,064
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<INTEREST-INVEST> 16,414 37,110
<INTEREST-OTHER> 361 1,093
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 135,742 262,766
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 47,767 100,590
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 54,998 110,434
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 80,744 152,332
<LOAN-LOSSES> 3,910 6,247
<SECURITIES-GAINS> 47 1,060
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 62,854 107,851
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<NET-INCOME> 21,796 50,973
<EPS-BASIC> 0.51 1.19
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.51 1.19
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 8.39 8.67
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