<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GATEWAY BANCSHARES, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U S DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         783,146
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                             2,025,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  4,841,381
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       1,444,248
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         1,443,344
<LOANS>                                      4,509,394
<ALLOWANCE>                                     43,500
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              15,535,478
<DEPOSITS>                                   9,051,408
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             54,203
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     3,395,240
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,034,627
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              15,535,478
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 68,375
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              141,461
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                33,891
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               243,727
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              41,963
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              41,963
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          201,764
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   43,500
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                457,116
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (291,284)
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                    (190,784)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (190,784)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.28)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.28)
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    6.56
<LOANS-NON>                                          0
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                     0
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        0
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               43,500
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            43,500
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>