<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Form 10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000818969
<NAME> PROVIDENT BANKSHARES CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. Dollars
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 80,013
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 0
<TRADING-ASSETS> 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 2,027,827
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 0
<LOANS> 3,380,288
<ALLOWANCE> 40,396
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,699,268
<DEPOSITS> 4,017,396
<SHORT-TERM> 576,990
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 43,226
<LONG-TERM> 687,255
67,951
0
<COMMON> 29,650
<OTHER-SE> 276,800
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 5,699,268
<INTEREST-LOAN> 212,496
<INTEREST-INVEST> 93,090
<INTEREST-OTHER> 1,738
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 307,324
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 131,714
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 187,019
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 120,305
<LOAN-LOSSES> 20,620
<SECURITIES-GAINS> 7,858
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 61,232
<INCOME-PRETAX> 46,311
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 31,465
<EXTRAORDINARY> 770
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 32,235
<EPS-BASIC> 1.23
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.20
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 3.07
<LOANS-NON> 19,122
<LOANS-PAST> 32,616
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 175
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> 39,780
<CHARGE-OFFS> 20,896
<RECOVERIES> 1,438
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 40,396
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 40,396
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 0
</TABLE>