<ARTICLE> 9
<CIK> 0000887919
<NAME> PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          18,625
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           4,529
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                21,584
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    172,000
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          20,262
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            20,863
<LOANS>                                        509,460
<ALLOWANCE>                                      5,746
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 799,692
<DEPOSITS>                                     651,027
<SHORT-TERM>                                    28,237
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              5,610
<LONG-TERM>                                     60,525
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,103
<OTHER-SE>                                      53,190
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 799,692
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 11,565
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                2,839
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   381
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                14,785
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               6,560
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,067
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            6,718
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      474
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  31
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  5,520
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,662
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       1,218
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,218
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .23
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.88
<LOANS-NON>                                      4,872
<LOANS-PAST>                                     1,052
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   104
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 4,363
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      491
<RECOVERIES>                                        90
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                5,746<F1>
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             5,746
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                            264
<FN>
<F1>Includes Allowance through Acquisition
</FN>