FORM 10-QSB

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549

(Mark One)

[X]           QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended          March 31, 1998
                               --------------------------------

                                                        OR

[ ]          TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                    OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____________ to _______________

Commission File No. 0-28838

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        Ohio                                                34-1822228
(State or other jurisdiction of                         (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                        Identification Number)

211 Lincoln Way East
Massillon, Ohio                                               44646
(Address of principal                                       (Zip Code)
executive office)

Issuers' telephone number, including area code: (330)  832-7441

Check  whether  the issuer  (1) has filed all  reports  required  to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Exchange  Act during the past 12 months (or for such
shorter  period that the  registrant  was required to file such reports) and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes    X                                                   No

As of  May 4,  1998,  the  latest  practicable  date,  1,422,633  shares  of the
registrant's common stock, without par value, were issued and outstanding.









                               Page 1 of 19 pages




                                      INDEX

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                                                                          Page
PART I -  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

              Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition                 3
              Consolidated Statements of Earnings                            4
              Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                          5
              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                     7
              Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                Financial Condition and Results of Operations               11

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION                                                 18

SIGNATURES                                                                  19




































                               Page 2 of 19 Pages







                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                        (In thousands, except share data)

                                                                        March 31,     September 30,
         ASSETS                                                              1998              1997
                                                                                        
Cash and due from banks                                                 $     212         $     343
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions                   1,758             4,440
                                                                          -------           -------
         Cash and cash equivalents                                          1,970             4,783

Investment securities designated as available for sale -
  at market                                                                 3,228             3,291
Investment securities - at cost, approximate market value
  of $1,018 and $2,025 as of March 31, 1998 and
  September 30, 1997                                                          966             1,973
Mortgage-backed and related securities designated
  as available for sale - at market                                         7,149             8,657
Mortgage-backed and related securities - at amortized cost,
  approximate market value of $5,457 and $7,044 as of
  March 31, 1998 and September 30, 1997                                     5,287             6,841
Loans receivable - net                                                     60,966            56,642
Office premises and equipment - at depreciated cost                         1,389             1,422
Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank - at cost                                     831               802
Accrued interest receivable                                                   282               316
Prepaid expenses and other assets                                             147               479
                                                                         --------          --------

         Total assets                                                     $82,215           $85,206
                                                                           ======            ======

         LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Deposits                                                                  $65,115           $65,660
Note payable                                                                   -              3,000
Other liabilities                                                             264               326
Accrued federal income taxes                                                  202                10
Deferred federal income taxes                                                 896               884
                                                                         --------          --------
         Total liabilities                                                 66,477            69,880

Shareholders' equity
  Preferred stock - authorized, 1,000,000 shares without par
    value; no shares issued                                                    -                 -
  Common stock - authorized 6,000,000 shares without par
    or stated value; 1,491,012 shares issued                                   -                 -
  Additional paid-in capital                                                7,183             7,165
  Retained earnings - restricted                                            9,958             9,779
  Unrealized gains on securities designated as available
    for sale, net of related tax effects                                    1,111             1,083
  Shares acquired by stock benefit plans                                   (1,229)           (1,416)
  Less 74,400 treasury shares, at cost                                     (1,285)           (1,285)
                                                                          -------           -------
         Total shareholders' equity                                        15,738            15,326
                                                                           ------            ------

         Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                       $82,215           $85,206
                                                                           ======            ======



                               Page 3 of 19 Pages








                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                        (In thousands, except share data)

                                                                          Six months ended          Three months ended
                                                                              March 31,                   March 31,
                                                                         1998         1997            1998         1997
                                                                                                        
Interest income
  Loans                                                                $2,374       $1,881          $1,207       $  941
  Mortgage-backed and related securities                                  458          791             214          390
  Investment securities                                                   116          234              55          126
  Interest-bearing deposits and other                                      87          205              35           88
                                                                      -------       ------         -------       ------
         Total interest income                                          3,035        3,111           1,511        1,545

Interest expense
  Deposits                                                              1,614        1,539             808          757
  Borrowings                                                               19           -               -            -
                                                                      -------        -----           -----        ----
         Total interest expense                                         1,633        1,539             808          757
                                                                        -----        -----          ------       ------

         Net interest income                                            1,402        1,572             703          788

Provision for losses on loans                                              36            6              33            3
                                                                      -------     --------         -------     --------

         Net interest income after provision for
           losses on loans                                              1,366        1,566             670          785

Other income
  Gain on sale of investment and mortgage-backed
    securities designated as available for sale                           501           -              501           -
  Other operating                                                          12           21               6            7
                                                                      -------      -------        --------     --------
         Total other income                                               513           21             507            7

General, administrative and other expense
  Employee compensation and benefits                                      592          449             321          237
  Occupancy and equipment                                                 105          113              49           54
  Franchise taxes                                                         118          102              54           66
  Federal deposit insurance premiums                                       20           37              10           14
  Data processing                                                          37           38              19           19
  Advertising                                                              19           20               8            9
  Other operating                                                         168          166              80           97
                                                                       ------       ------         -------      -------
         Total general, administrative and other expense                1,059          925             541          496
                                                                        -----       ------          ------       ------

         Earnings before income taxes                                     820          662             636          296

Federal income taxes
  Current                                                                 287           60             225          (52)
  Deferred                                                                 -           163              -           153
                                                                        -----       ------           -----       ------
         Total federal income taxes                                       287          223             225          101
                                                                       ------       ------          ------       ------

         NET EARNINGS                                                 $   533      $   439         $   411      $   195
                                                                       ======       ======          ======       ======

         EARNINGS PER SHARE
           Basic                                                         $.39         $.31            $.30         $.14
                                                                          ===          ===             ===          ===

           Diluted                                                       $.38         $.31            $.29         $.14
                                                                          ===          ===             ===          ===



                               Page 4 of 19 Pages








                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                      For the six months ended December 31,
                                 (In thousands)


                                                                                    1998              1997
                                                                                                 
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings for the period                                                  $     533         $     439
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
  provided by (used in) operating activities:
    Depreciation of premises and equipment                                            47                51
    Amortization of premiums and discounts on investment securities
      and mortgage-backed securities, net                                              8                24
    Gain on sale of investment and mortgage-backed
       securities designated as available for sale                                  (501)               -
    Amortization of deferred loan costs - net                                         21                -
    Provision for losses on loans                                                     36                 6
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends                                           (29)              (26)
    Increase (decrease) in cash due to changes in:
      Accrued interest receivable                                                     34                35
      Prepaid expenses and other assets                                              332               (51)
      Other liabilities                                                              144              (470)
      Accrued interest payable                                                        -                  5
      Federal income taxes:
        Current                                                                      192               (15)
        Deferred                                                                      -                163
                                                                                 -------          --------
         Net cash provided by operating activities                                   817               161

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
  Principal repayments on mortgage-backed and related securities                   2,055              2,490
  Proceeds from sales of mortgage-backed securities designated as
    available for sale                                                             1,998                 -
  Purchase of mortgage-backed and related securities designated
    as available for sale                                                           (992)            (3,499)
  Proceeds from sale of investment securities                                      1,524                 -
  Principal repayments and maturities of investment securities                     1,080                859
  Purchase of investment securities                                                   -              (1,000)
  Purchase of investment securities designated as available for sale                (999)            (1,500)
  Loan principal repayments                                                       10,114              7,372
  Loan disbursements                                                             (14,497)           (11,220)
  Purchase of office premises and equipment                                          (14)                (2)
                                                                                --------            -------
         Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                         269             (6,500)
                                                                                --------            -------

         Net cash provided by (used in) operating and investing
           activities (balance carried forward)                                    1,086             (6,339)
                                                                                 -------            -------









                               Page 5 of 19 Pages








                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                       For the six months ended March 31,
                                 (In thousands)


                                                                                       1998              1997
                                                                                                   
         Net cash provided by (used in) operating and
            investing activities (balance brought forward)                           $1,086           $ (6,339)

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
  Net increase (decrease) in deposit accounts                                          (545)               276
  Repayment of note payable                                                          (3,000)                 -
  Cash dividends paid on common stock                                                  (354)              (112)
                                                                                     ------            -------
         Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                         (3,899)               164
                                                                                      -----            -------

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                            (2,813)            (6,175)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                      4,783             12,533
                                                                                      -----             ------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                           $1,970           $  6,358
                                                                                      =====            =======

Supplemental  disclosure of cash flow  information:  Cash paid during the period
  for:
    Federal income taxes                                                             $   95           $     75
                                                                                     ======            =======

    Interest on deposits and borrowings                                              $1,637           $  1,534
                                                                                      =====            =======

Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing activities:
  Unrealized gains on securities designated as available for sale,
    net of related tax effects                                                       $   28           $     95
                                                                                      =====            =======





















                               Page 6 of 19 Pages






                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

        For the three and six month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997

1.  Basis of Presentation

The accompanying  unaudited  consolidated  financial statements were prepared in
accordance  with  instructions  for Form 10-QSB and,  therefore,  do not include
information  or footnotes  necessary  for a complete  presentation  of financial
position,  results of  operations  and cash flows in conformity  with  generally
accepted accounting principles.  Accordingly,  these financial statements should
be read in  conjunction  with the  consolidated  financial  statements and notes
thereto of Peoples Financial  Corporation  included in the Annual Report on Form
10-KSB  for the year  ended  September  30,  1997.  However,  in the  opinion of
management, all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) which
are necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated  financial  statements
have been  included.  The  results  of  operations  for the three and  six-month
periods  ended March 31, 1998 and 1997,  are not  necessarily  indicative of the
results which may be expected for an entire fiscal year.

2.  Principles of Consolidation

The  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements  include the  accounts of
Peoples Financial  Corporation  ("PFC" or the "Corporation") and Peoples Federal
Savings  and  Loan   Association   of  Massillon   ("Peoples   Federal"  or  the
"Association").
All significant intercompany items have been eliminated.

3.  Effects of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 1996,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board (the "FASB")  issued
Statement of Financial  Accounting  ("SFAS") No. 125,  "Accounting for Transfers
and Servicing of Financial  Assets and  Extinguishments  of  Liabilities",  that
provides  accounting  guidance on transfers of  financial  assets,  servicing of
financial assets, and extinguishment of liabilities.  SFAS No. 125 introduces an
approach to accounting  for transfers of financial  assets that provides a means
of dealing with more complex transactions in which the seller disposes of only a
partial  interest in the assets,  retains  rights or  obligations,  makes use of
special  purpose  entities  in the  transaction,  or  otherwise  has  continuing
involvement with the transferred assets. The new accounting method,  referred to
as the financial components  approach,  provides that the carrying amount of the
financial assets transferred be allocated to components of the transaction based
on their relative fair values.  SFAS No. 125 provides  criteria for  determining
whether control of assets has been relinquished and whether a sale has occurred.
If the transfer  does not qualify as a sale,  it is  accounted  for as a secured
borrowing. Transactions subject to the provisions of SFAS No. 125 include, among
others, transfers involving repurchase agreements,  securitizations of financial
assets,  loan   participations,   factoring   arrangements,   and  transfers  of
receivables with recourse.








                               Page 7 of 19 Pages






             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

        For the three and six month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997


3.  Effects of Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued)

An entity that undertakes an obligation to service  financial assets  recognizes
either a servicing asset or liability for the servicing contract (unless related
to a securitization of assets,  and all the securitized  assets are retained and
classified  as  held-to-maturity).  A  servicing  asset  or  liability  that  is
purchased or assumed is initially recognized at its fair value. Servicing assets
and  liabilities are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated
net  servicing  income  or net  servicing  loss and are  subject  to  subsequent
assessments for impairment based on fair value.

SFAS No. 125 provides that a liability is removed from the balance sheet only if
the debtor  either pays the creditor and is relieved of its  obligation  for the
liability or is legally released from being the primary obligor.

SFAS No. 125 is effective for  transfers  and servicing of financial  assets and
extinguishment  of liabilities  occurring  after December 31, 1997, and is to be
applied  prospectively.  Earlier or  retroactive  application  is not permitted.
Management adopted SFAS No. 125 effective January 1, 1998, as required,  without
material  effect  on  PFC's  consolidated   financial  position  or  results  of
operations.

In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130,  "Reporting  Comprehensive  Income."
SFAS No. 130  establishes  standards for reporting and display of  comprehensive
income and its components (revenues,  expenses,  gains and losses) in a full set
of general-purpose  financial  statements.  SFAS No. 130 requires that all items
that are required to be recognized under  accounting  standards as components of
comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that is displayed with
the same  prominence  as other  financial  statements.  It does  not  require  a
specific  format for that  financial  statement  but requires that an enterprise
display an amount representing total comprehensive income for the period in that
financial statement.

SFAS  No.  130  requires  that  an  enterprise   (a)  classify  items  of  other
comprehensive  income by their nature in a financial  statement  and (b) display
the accumulated balance of other  comprehensive  income separately from retained
earnings and additional  paid-in capital in the equity section of a statement of
financial  position.  SFAS No. 130 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 1997.  Reclassification of financial statements for earlier periods
provided for comparative  purposes is required.  SFAS No. 130 is not expected to
have a material impact on the Corporation's financial statements.











                               Page 8 of 19 Pages






             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

        For the three and six month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997


3.  Effects of Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued)

In June 1997,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 131,  "Disclosures  about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related  Information." SFAS No. 131 significantly changes the way
that public business  enterprises report information about operating segments in
annual financial  statements and requires that those enterprises report selected
information  about reportable  segments in interim  financial  reports issued to
shareholders.  It also  establishes  standards  for  related  disclosures  about
products and services, geographic areas and major customers. SFAS No. 131 uses a
"management  approach" to disclose  financial and descriptive  information about
the way that management  organizes the segments within the enterprise for making
operating  decisions  and  assessing  performance.  For  many  enterprises,  the
management  approach  will likely  result in more segments  being  reported.  In
addition,  SFAS No. 131 requires  significantly more information to be disclosed
for each reportable segment than is presently being reported in annual financial
statements  and also requires that selected  information  be reported in interim
financial statements. SFAS No. 131 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 1997. SFAS No. 131 is not expected to have a material impact on the
Corporation's financial statements.

4.  Pending Legislative Changes

Congress  has  enacted  legislation  that would  merge the  Savings  Association
Insurance  Fund (the "SAIF") and the Bank  Insurance Fund (the "BIF") on January
1, 1999, assuming the enactment of legislation  providing for the elimination of
the thrift charter or separate thrift  regulation under federal law prior to the
merger of the deposit  insurance funds.  Peoples Federal would then be regulated
as a bank under federal law and subject to the more restrictive  activity limits
imposed on national banks.

5.  Earnings Per Share

Basic  earnings  per share is computed  based upon the  weighted-average  shares
outstanding  during the period less shares in the ESOP that are  unallocated and
not committed to be released.  Weighted-average common shares outstanding, which
gives effect to 46,559 unallocated ESOP shares,  totaled 1,369,789 and 1,370,684
for the six  and  three  month  periods  ended  March  31,  1998,  respectively.
Weighted-average  common  shares  outstanding,  which  gives  effect  to  59,678
unallocated ESOP shares,  totaled  1,431,334 for each of the six and three month
periods ended March 31, 1997.

Diluted earnings per share is computed taking into  consideration  common shares
outstanding and dilutive  potential common shares to be issued under PFC's stock
option plan.  Weighted-average  common shares deemed outstanding for purposes of
computing diluted earnings per share totaled 1,395,759 and 1,411,184 for the six
and three month  periods  ended March 31, 1998 and 1,431,334 for each of the six
and three month periods ended March 31, 1997, respectively.




                               Page 9 of 19 Pages





             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

             For the six month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997


5.  Earnings Per Share (continued)

Options  to  purchase  104,371  shares  of  common  stock at a  weighted-average
exercise price of $16.00 per share were  outstanding at March 31, 1997, but were
excluded from the computation of common share equivalents because their exercise
prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares.

6.  Reclassifications

Certain  prior  year  amounts  have been  reclassified  to  conform  to the 1998
consolidated financial statement presentation.



































                               Page 10 of 19 Pages





           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                            AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                    Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information contained herein, the following discussion
contains  forward-looking  statements  that  involve  risks  and  uncertainties.
Economic  circumstances,  PFC's operations and PFC's actual results could differ
significantly from those discussed in the  forward-looking  statements.  Some of
the factors that could cause or  contribute  to such  differences  are discussed
herein but also include  changes in the economy and interest rates in the nation
and PFC's market area  generally.  See Exhibit 99 hereto,  which is incorporated
herein by reference.

Some of the  forward-looking  statements  included  herein  are  the  statements
regarding management's determination of the amount and adequacy of allowance for
losses on loans, legislative changes with respect to the federal thrift charter,
effects of the year 2000 on information  technology  systems,  and the effect of
certain recent accounting pronouncements.


                 Discussion of Financial Condition Changes from
                      September 30, 1997 to March 31, 1998

PFC's  assets  totaled  $82.2  million as of March 31,  1998, a decrease of $3.0
million,  or 3.5%,  from the  September  30, 1997  total.  This change in assets
resulted  primarily from repayment of the $ 3.0 million note payable incurred in
connection with the return of capital distribution.  Changes in operating assets
from  September 30, 1997 levels  consisted of an increase of $4.3 million in net
loans receivable, which was offset by decreases in investment securities of $1.1
million,   mortgage-backed   securities  of  $3.1  million  and  cash  and  cash
equivalents of $2.8 million.

Cash and cash equivalents  totaled $2.0 million at March 31, 1998, a decrease of
$2.8 million,  or 58.8%, from the total at September 30, 1997. Excess funds were
redeployed primarily to fund growth in the loan portfolio.

Investment securities totaled $4.2 million at March 31, 1998, a decrease of $1.1
million,  or 20.3%, from the total at September 30, 1997. This decrease resulted
primarily  from sales of $1.5  million,  principal  repayments  of  $73,000  and
maturities of $1.0 million, which were partially offset by purchases of $999,000
and net fair value appreciation of $22,000.

Mortgage-backed  securities  totaled $12.4 million at March 31, 1998, a decrease
of $3.1 million,  or 19.8%,  from the total at September 30, 1997. This decrease
resulted  primarily from sales of $2.0 million and principal  repayments of $2.1
million, which were partially offset by purchases of $992,000 and net fair value
appreciation of $18,000.  Proceeds from such sales and principal repayments were
primarily used to repay the $3.0 million note payable.






                               Page 11 of 19 Pages






           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                      AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                 Discussion of Financial Condition Changes from
                September 30, 1997 to March 31, 1998 (continued)

Net loans  receivable  totaled  $61.0  million at March 31, 1998, an increase of
$4.3  million,  or 7.6%,  over the September  30, 1997,  total.  The increase is
attributable to Peoples  Federal's  continued focus on its marketing  program to
originate new fixed and adjustable-rate  mortgage loans and home equity loans at
the main office and the branch lending office and  disbursements on construction
loans.  The  allowance  for loan losses  totaled  $182,000 at March 31, 1998, an
increase of $37,000, including $1,000 from loss recoveries,  over the balance at
September 30, 1997. The allowance represented .3% of total loans and 2,022.2% of
nonperforming  loans at March 31,  1998,  as  compared to .2% of total loans and
7,250.0% of  nonperforming  loans at  September  30, 1997.  Nonperforming  loans
totaled $9,000 at March 31, 1998 and $2,000 at September 30, 1997.

Deposits  totaled  $65.1  million at March 31, 1998, a decrease of $545,000,  or
 .8%, from the  September 30, 1997 amount.  During the six months ended March 31,
1998,  certificates of deposit increased by $567,000, as Peoples Federal offered
rates designed to increase certificates. Passbook deposits decreased by $417,000
during the period.  NOW  accounts at  September  30,  1997  included  transitory
deposits,  accounting  for most of a  decrease  of  $773,000  for the  six-month
period.

Peoples Federal is required to meet minimum capital standards promulgated by the
Office of Thrift  Supervision (the "OTS").  At March 31, 1998, the Association's
regulatory capital was well in excess of such minimum capital requirements.


            Comparison of Operating Results for the Six-Month Periods
                          Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997

General

Net earnings for the six months ended March 31, 1998, totaled $533,000, compared
to $439,000 for the same period in 1997, an increase of $94,000,  or 21.4%.  The
primary  reason  for the  increase  in net  earnings  were net  gains on sale of
investment and  mortgage-backed  securities of $501,000 in 1998. Such gains were
offset by decreases in net interest income of $170,000, or 10.8%, an increase in
provision for losses on loans of $30,000,  a decrease in other operating  income
of $9,000  and an  increase  in  general,  administrative  and other  expense of
$134,000,  or 14.5%,  and an  increase in the federal  income tax  provision  of
$64,000.









                               Page 12 of 19 Pages





           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                      AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION


            Comparison of Operating Results for the Six-Month Periods
                    Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 (continued)

Net Interest Income

Interest  income on loans for the six months ended March 31, 1998,  increased by
$493,000 or 26.2%,  over the 1997 period.  This  increase  resulted from a $13.1
million increase in the average loan portfolio  balance  outstanding,  partially
offset by a decrease in  weighted  average  yield from 8.08% to 7.96%.  Interest
income on  mortgage-backed  and related  securities,  investment  securities and
interest-bearing deposits decreased by $569,000, or 46.3%, from the 1997 period.
This  decrease  resulted  from a $19.7  million  decrease  in average  portfolio
balances outstanding,  partially offset by an increase in weighted average yield
from 6.10% to 6.40%.

Interest expense on deposits  increased by $75,000,  or 4.9%, for the six months
ended March 31, 1998, as compared to 1997.  This  increase  resulted from a $1.4
million  increase in average  deposit  balances and a 13 basis point increase in
the weighted-average cost of funds from 4.82% in 1997 to 4.95% in 1998. Interest
expense  on  borrowings  totaled  $19,000  in 1997 and was  incurred  for  funds
borrowed to pay part of the return of capital distribution. The note payable was
repaid in December 1997.

As a result of the foregoing  changes in interest  income and interest  expense,
net interest income  decreased by $170,000,  or 10.8%,  for the six months ended
March 31, 1998,  compared to 1997.  The interest rate spread  increased to 2.61%
for  the six  months  ended  March  31,  1998,  as  compared  to  2.34%  for the
corresponding  1997 six-month period. The net interest margin decreased to 3.54%
for the six months ended March 31, 1998, as compared to 3.62% for the comparable
1997 period.

Provision for Losses on Loans

It is the  Association's  policy to provide  valuation  allowances for estimated
losses on loans based on past loan loss  experience,  changes in the composition
of the loan  portfolio,  trends in the level of  delinquent  and problem  loans,
adverse  situations  that may  affect  the  borrower's  ability  to  repay,  the
estimated  value  of any  underlying  collateral  and  current  and  anticipated
economic  conditions in the primary  lending area. The allowance for loan losses
is  increased  by charges to  earnings  and  decreased  by  charge-offs  (net of
recoveries).  After  considering  the above  guidelines,  management  decided to
increase  the  allowance  for losses on loans by  $36,000  during the six months
ended March 31, 1998,  as compared to a provision  of $6,000 for the  comparable
period in fiscal 1997.  The increase was due primarily to the growth in the loan
portfolio year to year.  There can be no assurance that the allowance for losses
on loans of Peoples  Federal will be adequate to cover  losses on  nonperforming
loans in the future.







                               Page 13 of 19 Pages






           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                      AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                Comparison of Operating Results for the Six-Month
                Periods Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 (continued)

Other Income

Other  income  totaled  $513,000  for the six months  ended March 31,  1998,  an
increase of $492,000 from the 1997 amount.  The increase resulted primarily from
net gains on the sales of securities during the six months ended March 31, 1998.
Mortgage-backed and investment securities with a book value of $3.0 million were
sold in October,  1997 and a loss of $13,000  was  realized.  Federal  Home Loan
Mortgage  Corporation  common  stock with a book  value of  $11,000  was sold in
December  1997 and March 1998 for a total of $525,000 and gains of $514,000 were
realized.   Other  operating   income  decreased  by  $9,000  primarily  due  to
nonrecurring  late  payment  fees on  delinquent  loans which were  collected in
December,  1996.  Also included in other  operating  income are safe deposit box
rentals, negotiable order of withdrawal account fees and service fees.

General, Administrative and Other Expense

General,  administrative and other expense increased by $134,000,  or 14.5%, for
the six months  ended March 31, 1998,  compared to the same period in 1997.  The
principal  increase for 1998 over 1997 was $143,000,  or 31.8%,  in employee and
director compensation and benefits. Employee benefit plan costs recorded for the
six months  ended  March 31,  1998  increased  $95,000  over the 1997  amount as
Recognition  and Retention Plan monthly  provisions were recorded each period in
1998 and did not begin in 1997 until the plan was approved  March 19, 1997,  and
an additional  Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan  provision for 1998 for which no
comparable  amount was recorded in 1997. Ohio franchise taxes for the six months
ended  March 31,  1998  increased  by  $16,000,  or 15.7%  over  1997,  based on
increased  capital from the  conversion.  Decreases for 1998 as compared to 1997
were  $17,000  or 45.9%,  in federal  deposit  insurance  premiums  based on the
decrease in premium rates after the special  recapitalization  assessment by the
Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  ("FDIC")  recorded  in the year  ended
September  30, 1997 and $8,000,  or 7.1%,  in  occupancy  and  equipment  due to
decreases in depreciation and maintenance costs.

Federal Income Taxes

Federal income taxes are based on earnings before taxes for the six months ended
March 31, 1998 and 1997.  The  increase of $64,000 in the  provision  for income
taxes resulted  primarily from the $158,000  increase in earnings  before income
taxes. The effective tax rates were 35.0% for 1998, and 33.7% for 1997.









                               Page 14 of 19 Pages






           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                      AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

           Comparison of Operating Results for the Three-Month Periods
                          Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997

General

Net  earnings  for the three  months  ended March 31,  1998,  totaled  $411,000,
compared to $195,000 for the same period in 1997,  an increase of  $216,000,  or
110.8%.  The primary  reasons for the increase in net earnings were net gains on
sale of investment  and  mortgage-backed  securities of $501,000 in 1998,  which
were  offset by  decreases  in net  interest  income of  $85,000,  or 10.8%,  an
increase  in  provision  for losses on loans of  $30,000,  a  decrease  in other
operating  income of $1,000,  an increase in general,  administrative  and other
expense of $45,000, or 9.1%, and an increase in the federal income tax provision
of $124,000 or 122.8%.

Net Interest Income

Interest income on loans for the three months ended March 31, 1998, increased by
$266,000,  or 28.3%,  over the 1997 period.  This increase resulted from a $13.4
million  increase in the average  loan  portfolio  balance  outstanding,  and an
increase  in  weighted  average  yield from 7.94% to 7.96%.  Interest  income on
mortgage-backed  and related  securities,  investment  securities  and  deposits
decreased by $300,000,  or 49.7%,  from the 1997 period.  This decrease resulted
from a  $19.8  million  decrease  in  average  portfolio  balances  outstanding,
partially offset by an increase in weighted average yield from 6.12% to 6.19%.

Interest expense on deposits increased by $51,000, or 6.7%, for the three months
ended March 31, 1998, as compared to 1997.  This  increase  resulted from a $1.4
million  increase in average  deposit  balances and a 22 basis point increase in
the weighted-average cost of funds from 4.74% in 1997 to 4.96% in 1998.

As a result of the foregoing  changes in interest  income and interest  expense,
net interest income  decreased by $85,000,  or 10.8%, for the three months ended
March 31, 1998,  compared to 1997.  The interest rate spread  increased to 2.57%
for the  three  months  ended  March  31,  1998,  as  compared  to 2.37% for the
corresponding  1997  three-month  period.  The net interest margin  decreased to
3.50% for the three months  ended March 31,  1998,  as compared to 3.63% for the
comparable 1997 period.

Provision for Losses on Loans

As the loan portfolio  continues to increase,  a provision for losses of $33,000
was recorded  for the three months ended March 31, 1998,  compared to $3,000 for
the same period in 1997.

Other Income

Other income  totaled  $507,000  for the three  months ended March 31, 1998,  an
increase of $500,000 over the 1997 amount.  The increase resulted primarily from
a gain on the sale of Federal Home Loan Mortgage  Corporation  common stock. The
stock with a book value of $11,000 was sold for  $512,000 and a gain of $501,000
was recorded in February,  1998. No securities  were sold in the comparable 1997
period.  Also included in other operating income are late payment fees on loans,
safe  deposit box  rentals,  negotiable  order of  withdrawal  account  fees and
service fees.

                               Page 15 of 19 Pages






           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                      AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

           Comparison of Operating Results for the Three-Month Periods
                    Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 (continued)

General, Administrative and Other Expense

General, administrative and other expense increased by $45,000, or 9.1%, for the
three  months  ended March 31,  1998,  compared to the same period in 1997.  The
principal  increase  for 1998 over 1997 was $84,000,  or 35.4%,  in employee and
director compensation and benefits. Employee benefit plan costs recorded for the
three  months  ended March 31, 1998  increased  $59,000  over the 1997 amount as
Recognition  and Retention Plan monthly  provisions were recorded each period in
1998 and did not begin in 1997 until the plan was approved March 19, 1997 and an
additional  Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan  provision  for 1998  for  which no
comparable  amount was recorded in 1997.  Decreases for 1998 as compared to 1997
were  $5,000,   or  9.3%,  in  occupancy  and  equipment  due  to  decreases  in
depreciation and maintenance costs,  $12,000,  or 18.2%, in Ohio franchise taxes
due  to   reductions   in  capital  after  payment  of  the  return  of  capital
distribution,  purchase of shares for the  Recognition  and  Retention  Plan and
purchase of treasury  shares,  $4,000,  or 28.6%, in federal  deposit  insurance
premiums  and  $17,000,  or 17.5%,  in other  operating  expenses  mostly due to
decreases in costs of compliance reporting, loan origination and office costs.

Federal Income Taxes

The  provision  for federal  income taxes  totaled  $225,000 for the three month
period  ended  March 31,  1998,  an increase of  $124,000,  or 122.8%,  over the
comparable quarter in 1997. The increase resulted primarily from a $340,000,  or
114.9%,  increase in pretax earnings.  The effective tax rates amounted to 35.4%
and  34.1%  for  the  three  month  periods  ended  March  31,  1998  and  1997,
respectively.

Other Matters

As with all providers of financial  services,  Peoples Federal's  operations are
heavily  dependent  on  information  technology  systems.   Peoples  Federal  is
addressing  the potential  problems  associated  with the  possibility  that the
computers  that  control or operate  Peoples  Federal's  information  technology
system and  infrastructure  may not be programmed to read  four-digit date codes
and, upon arrival of the year 2000, may recognize the two-digit code "00" as the
year 1900,  causing  systems to fail to function or to generate  erroneous data.
Peoples  Federal is  working  with the  companies  that  supply or  service  its
information  technology  systems to  identify  and remedy any year 2000  related
problems.

As of the date of this Form  10-QSB,  Peoples  Federal  has not  identified  any
specific  expenses that are reasonably  likely to be incurred by Peoples Federal
in connection with this issue and does not expect to incur  significant  expense
to implement  the  necessary  corrective  measures.  No assurance  can be given,
however, that significant expense will not be incurred in future periods. In the
event that  Peoples  Federal is  ultimately  required  to  purchase  replacement
computer systems,  programs and equipment,  or incur substantial expense to make
Peoples Federal's  current systems,  programs and equipment year 2000 compliant,
Peoples  Federal's  net  earnings  and  financial  condition  could be adversely
affected.


                               Page 16 of 19 Pages






           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                      AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

           Comparison of Operating Results for the Three-Month Periods
                    Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 (continued)


Other Matters

In addition to possible  expense  related to its own  systems,  Peoples  Federal
could  incur  losses if loan  payments  are  delayed  due to year 2000  problems
affecting any major borrowers in Peoples Federal's primary market area.  Because
Peoples Federal's loan portfolio is highly diversified with regard to individual
borrowers and types of businesses and Peoples  Federal's  primary market area is
not significantly dependent upon one employer or industry,  Peoples Federal does
not  expect any  significant  or  prolonged  difficulties  that will  affect net
earnings or cash flow.




































                               Page 17 of 19 Pages







                                     PART II

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

ITEM 1.  Legal Proceedings

         Not applicable

ITEM 2.  Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

         Not applicable

ITEM 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

         Not applicable

ITEM 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

         Not applicable

ITEM 5.  Other Information

         Not applicable

ITEM 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

             27.1     Financial  data   schedule  for  the  six   months  ended
                      March 31, 1998.

             27.2     Restated  financial  data  schedule  for  the  six  months
                      ended March 31, 1997.

             99       Safe Harbor under the Private Securities Litigation Reform
                      Act of 1995.

          (b)  Reports on Form 8-K
               Not applicable















                               Page 18 of 19 Pages






                                   SIGNATURES

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.





Date:        May 12, 1998                       By:  /s/Paul von Gunten
       -----------------------------                 ------------------
                                                     Paul von Gunten
                                                     President and Chief
                                                     Executive Officer



Date:       May 12, 1998                        By:  /s/James R. Rinehart
       -----------------------------                 --------------------
                                                     James R. Rinehart
                                                     Treasurer
                                                     and Chief Financial Officer






























                               Page 19 of 19 Pages