<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTST
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 87,148,044
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 2,881,681
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 16,500,000
<TRADING-ASSETS> 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 508,003,179
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 21,218,397
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 21,475,000
<LOANS> 1,218,510,634
<ALLOWANCE> 15,533,180
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,973,522,390
<DEPOSITS> 1,551,703,307
<SHORT-TERM> 222,243,641
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 23,102,623
<LONG-TERM> 33,381,000
0
0
<COMMON> 50,932,082
<OTHER-SE> 92,159,737
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 1,973,522,390
<INTEREST-LOAN> 78,164,932
<INTEREST-INVEST> 24,444,111
<INTEREST-OTHER> 366,199
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 102,975,242
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 44,072,292
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 54,838,033
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 48,137,209
<LOAN-LOSSES> 3,150,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS> 126,654
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 47,877,158
<INCOME-PRETAX> 19,720,939
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 19,720,939
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 14,312,337
<EPS-BASIC> .71
<EPS-DILUTED> .70
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 3.58
<LOANS-NON> 5,851,000
<LOANS-PAST> 1,891,000
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 0
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> 14,413,104
<CHARGE-OFFS> 3,877,255
<RECOVERIES> 1,847,331
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 15,533,180
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 15,533,180
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 0
</TABLE>