<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 THREE
MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN SUCH FORM 10Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          11,112
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                    11
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     55,371
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         426,415
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                        403,913
<ALLOWANCE>                                      4,908
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 949,810
<DEPOSITS>                                     481,894
<SHORT-TERM>                                    75,788
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              6,842
<LONG-TERM>                                    348,800
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           368
<OTHER-SE>                                      36,118
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 949,810
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  8,405
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                8,675
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   100
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                17,180
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               4,330
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,553
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            6,627
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  73
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  5,367
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,474
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       2,261
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,261
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .67
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.87
<LOANS-NON>                                      1,826
<LOANS-PAST>                                       211
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 4,866
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      227
<RECOVERIES>                                       269
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                4,908
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             3,523
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          1,385
        

</TABLE>