<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.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<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
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    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