<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF POPULAR INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1,000
<CASH> 698,012
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 31,206
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 1,159,754
<TRADING-ASSETS> 190,458
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 7,137,188
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 383,887
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 377,918
<LOANS> 15,774,604
<ALLOWANCE> 305,526
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 26,451,246
<DEPOSITS> 14,460,454
<SHORT-TERM> 7,791,851
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 428,594
<LONG-TERM> 2,027,722
0
100,000
<COMMON> 828,959
<OTHER-SE> 807,931
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 26,451,246
<INTEREST-LOAN> 768,957
<INTEREST-INVEST> 226,754
<INTEREST-OTHER> 34,864
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 1,030,575
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 251,873
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 542,419
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 488,156
<LOAN-LOSSES> 98,732
<SECURITIES-GAINS> 13,593
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 445,876
<INCOME-PRETAX> 169,752
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 129,312
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 129,312
<EPS-BASIC> 0.92
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 4.36
<LOANS-NON> 344,052
<LOANS-PAST> 29,954
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 0
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 170,774
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> 292,010
<CHARGE-OFFS> 115,142
<RECOVERIES> 28,445
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 305,526
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 280,265
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 25,261
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 0
</TABLE>