<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CAROLINA
COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 27, 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                       1,540,719
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                      21,124,317
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               650,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  5,415,312
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         636,651
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           662,502
<LOANS>                                     20,328,597
<ALLOWANCE>                                    247,377
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              30,244,526
<DEPOSITS>                                  25,751,794
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            217,908
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       416,110
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,858,714
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              30,244,526
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              1,501,977
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              380,296
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                71,050
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,953,323
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             773,919
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             809,077
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        1,144,246
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   97,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              1,014,804
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                322,890
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     194,822
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   194,822
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .51
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.98
<LOANS-NON>                                          0
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               157,420
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   12,932
<RECOVERIES>                                     5,889
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              247,377
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           247,377
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0


</TABLE>