<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CAROLINA
COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE
PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                       1,640,617
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                      21,337,731
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                             2,825,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  4,770,000
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         649,100
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           673,310
<LOANS>                                     17,982,000
<ALLOWANCE>                                    225,687
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              29,816,612
<DEPOSITS>                                  25,512,343
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            174,000
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       416,110
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,714,731
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              29,816,612
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              1,057,732
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              284,993
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,372,664
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             528,520
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             543,168
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          844,149
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   74,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              1,371,151
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                195,031
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     110,219
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   110,219
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .265
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .265
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    5.43
<LOANS-NON>                                          0
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               213,420
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    7,056
<RECOVERIES>                                     1,322
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              225,686
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           225,686
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          3,000
        

</TABLE>