<ARTICLE> 9
<CIK> 0000354869
<NAME> FIRST MERIT
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                         295,008
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<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               (662)
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<EPS-BASIC>                                        .44
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