<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF APPALACHIAN BANCSHARES, INC. FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

<S>                                        <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                       3,383,533
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                             1,828,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                 15,544,585
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       4,181,021
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         4,308,947
<LOANS>                                     84,583,853
<ALLOWANCE>                                   (929,590)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             112,180,790
<DEPOSITS>                                  95,347,946
<SHORT-TERM>                                 4,228,129
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            304,662
<LONG-TERM>                                  5,320,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     2,961,435
<OTHER-SE>                                   4,018,618
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>             112,180,790
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              7,652,481
<INTEREST-INVEST>                            1,330,771
<INTEREST-OTHER>                               159,716
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             9,142,968
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           4,911,266
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           5,262,253
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        3,880,715
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  480,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 (78)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              2,379,358
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,400,353
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                   1,400,353
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,017,766
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.75
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    9.40
<LOANS-NON>                                     15,000
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                546,000
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               655,296
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  228,087
<RECOVERIES>                                    22,381
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              929,590
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           929,590
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0


</TABLE>