<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A)
PEOPLE'S BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR
THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN SUCH FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          12,928
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           4,566
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 2,500
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     40,585
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         518,481
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           469,697
<LOANS>                                        417,374
<ALLOWANCE>                                      4,124
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,065,398
<DEPOSITS>                                     596,244
<SHORT-TERM>                                     8,799
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              5,813
<LONG-TERM>                                    413,630
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           369
<OTHER-SE>                                      40,543
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,065,398
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  8,526
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               11,130
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                    69
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                19,725
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               5,977
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,545
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            7,180
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  6,042
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,322
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       3,322
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,222
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.67
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.80
<LOANS-NON>                                        863
<LOANS-PAST>                                       496
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 4,096
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        8
<RECOVERIES>                                        36
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                4,124
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             3,089
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          1,035


</TABLE>