<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PEOPLE'S
BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE
MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN SUCH FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US $
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          14,494
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    252,346
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                        249,340
<ALLOWANCE>                                      4,378
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 548,774
<DEPOSITS>                                     328,331
<SHORT-TERM>                                    20,308
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                477
<LONG-TERM>                                    164,050
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           359
<OTHER-SE>                                      30,431
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 548,774
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  5,599
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                4,091
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                    39
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 9,729
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               2,836
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,315
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            4,414
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                (11)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  3,647
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,049
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       2,049
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,308
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .36
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.07
<LOANS-NON>                                      3,610
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   351
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 4,716
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      374
<RECOVERIES>                                        36
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                4,378
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             3,219
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          1,159
        


</TABLE>