<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM 10Q
FILED AS SEPTEMBER 30, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001018380
<NAME> EMERALD ISLE BANCORP, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           5,166
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           2,950
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     33,949
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          72,974
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            71,935
<LOANS>                                        314,184
<ALLOWANCE>                                      3,047
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 443,503
<DEPOSITS>                                     364,757
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              2,087
<LONG-TERM>                                     45,668
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,250
<OTHER-SE>                                      28,741
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 443,503
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 18,769
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                5,231
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   309
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                24,309
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              12,122
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,582
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           10,727
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      200
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               (162)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  6,770
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,230
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       4,230
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,776
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.21
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.58
<LOANS-NON>                                        732
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 2,623
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      539
<RECOVERIES>                                       763
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                3,047
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             2,389
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                            658