<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A)
SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES CORP'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) DOCUMENT.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          15,201
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                19,400
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     66,903
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         117,175
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           117,176
<LOANS>                                        297,093
<ALLOWANCE>                                      6,087
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 530,625
<DEPOSITS>                                     466,583
<SHORT-TERM>                                     3,751
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              5,014
<LONG-TERM>                                      1,581<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,859
<OTHER-SE>                                      50,837
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 530,625
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  6,497
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                2,751
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   153
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 9,401
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               4,351
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,422
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            4,979
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       15
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  3,617
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,029
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       2,029
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,498
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .55
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.19
<LOANS-NON>                                      1,001
<LOANS-PAST>                                       391
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 5,602
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                       74
<RECOVERIES>                                       544
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                6,087
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             6,087
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
<FN>
<F1>(1) REPRESENTS DEBT OF THE COMPANY'S EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN, WHICH IS
REFLECTED ON THE COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENT ACCORDING TO GENERALLY ACCEPTED
ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>