UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G
(Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)
(Amendment No.1)*

STERLING FINL CORP./WA/
- ------------------------------
(Name of Issuer)

COMMON STOCK
- ---------------------------------------
(Title of Class of Securities)

859319105
- -----------------------
(Cusip Number)

December 31, 2000
__________________________________________
(Date of event which requires filing of this statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant
to which this schedule is filed:

[X]  Rule 13d-1     (b)
[ ]  Rule 13d-1     (c)
[ ]  Rule 13d-1     (d)

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a
reporting person's initial filing of this form with respect to the
subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment
containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in
a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall
not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the
liabilities of that section of the Act, but shall be subject to all
other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes.)

[Continued on the following page(s)]
Page 1 of 4 Pages

CUSIP No.	859319105               	Page 2 of 4 Pages

- ----------------------------------------------------------------
1.	Name of reporting person
 	S.S. or I.R.S. identification no. of above person

	David L. Babson & Company Inc.
	04-1054788
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
2.	Check the appropriate box if a member of a group
	 (a)(   )
	 (b)( X )
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
3.	SEC use only

- ----------------------------------------------------------------
4.	Citizenship or place of organization
	Massachusetts

- ----------------------------------------------------------------
                   	5.	Sole Voting Power
                        161,590.00
                     _________________

	Number of        	6.	Shared Voting Power
	beneficially
	owned by                			0
	each			      -----------------------------
	Reporting        	7.	Sole Dispositive Power
	person
	with		                 	161,590.00
				      -----------------------------
8.	Shared Dispositive Power
 0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
9.	Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person
  161,590.00
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
10.	Check if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares*

- ----------------------------------------------------------------
11.	Percent of class represented by amount in row 9
   	1.98%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
12.	Type of Reporting person
	IA

Page 3 of 4 Pages 					Cusip #: 859319105

SCHEDULE 13G

ITEM 1(A):  NAME OF ISSUER:

STERLING FINANCIAL CORP/WA/

1(B):  ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:

111 North Wall Street
Spokane, Washington  99201

ITEM 2(A):  NAME OF PERSON FILING:

David L. Babson & Company Inc. ("DLB")

ITEM 2(B):  ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE:

	One Memorial Drive
	Cambridge, Massachusetts  02142-1300

ITEM 2(C):  CITIZENSHIP:

	See Item 4 of Cover Page

ITEM 2(D):  TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES:

	See Cover Page

ITEM 2(E):  CUSIP NUMBER:
	See Cover Page

ITEM 3:  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON:

If this statement is filed pursuant to sections 240.13d-1 (b)
or 240.13d-2 (b) or (c), check whether the filing person is a:

(e) [x]  An investment advisor in accordance with
         Section 240.13d-1 (b) (1) (ii) (E)

ITEM 4:  OWNERSHIP:

(a)	AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED:  DLB, in its capacity as
investment advisor, may be deemed the beneficial owner of 161,590.00
shares of common stock of the Issuer which are owned by investment
advisory client (s).


(b)	PERCENT OF CLASS: 1.98%

(c)	For information on voting and dispositive power with respect to the
above listed shares, see Items 5 - 8 of Cover Page.

Page 4 of 4 Pages				Cusip #: 859319105

ITEM 5:  OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS:

If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the
date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial
owner of more than five percent of the class of securities check
the following: [X]

ITEM 6:  OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON:

Not Applicable

ITEM 7: IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH
	ACQUIRED THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING
	COMPANY:

Not Applicable

ITEM 8:  IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP:

Not Applicable

ITEM 9:  NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP:

Not Applicable

ITEM 10:  CERTIFICATION:

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, the securities referred to above were acquired in the
ordinary course of business and were not acquired for the purpose of
and do not have the effect of changing or influencing the control of
the issuer of such securities and were not acquired in connection
with or as a participant in any transaction having such purpose or
effect.

SIGNATURE:

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and
belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement
is true, complete and correct.

		Date: February 9, 2001
		Signature:  --//John E. Deitelbaum//--
		Name/Title:  JOHN E. DEITELBAUM
		Counsel