<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PEOPLE'S
BANCSHARES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN SUCH FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          11,490
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           4,101
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     43,153
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         476,718
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           447,061
<LOANS>                                        451,168
<ALLOWANCE>                                      4,041
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,030,838
<DEPOSITS>                                     543,356
<SHORT-TERM>                                    19,640
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              5,863
<LONG-TERM>                                    421,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              369
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      39,069
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,030,838
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 25,864
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               27,482
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   247
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                53,593
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              14,491
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              33,124
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           20,469
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    (850)
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  36
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 16,819
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,648
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      10,648
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,036
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.08
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.86
<LOANS-NON>                                        462
<LOANS-PAST>                                     1,545
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 4,866
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      356
<RECOVERIES>                                       381
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                4,041
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             3,031
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          1,010


</TABLE>