<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PEOPLE'S
BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN FORM 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          13,759
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                16,934
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    245,636
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          44,253
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            44,439
<LOANS>                                        411,433
<ALLOWANCE>                                      4,291
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 762,910
<DEPOSITS>                                     355,083
<SHORT-TERM>                                   178,350
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              6,227
<LONG-TERM>                                    192,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           364
<OTHER-SE>                                      29,772
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 762,910
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 25,297
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               18,829
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   374
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                44,500
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              11,785
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              26,185
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           18,315
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      100
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 261
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 16,347
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,065
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       8,065
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,131
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.47
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.12
<LOANS-NON>                                      3,894
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 4,716
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      727
<RECOVERIES>                                       202
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                4,291
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             3,615
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                            676


</TABLE>