<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                           9
<CIK>                                               0000768532
<NAME>                                           First Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                  1000

<S>                                                 <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                       9-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                   Dec-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                      Jan-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                        Sep-30-1999
<CASH>                                                     137,354
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                           0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                            53,420
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                                 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                592,495
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                     236,374
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                       232,955
<LOANS>                                                  1,361,363
<ALLOWANCE>                                                 24,909
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           2,545,612
<DEPOSITS>                                               1,760,813
<SHORT-TERM>                                               226,900
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                         33,771
<LONG-TERM>                                                274,038
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                            0
<PREFERRED>                                                      0
<COMMON>                                                     2,668
<OTHER-SE>                                                 247,422
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                           2,545,612
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                             83,492
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                           38,801
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                             4,085
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                           126,378
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                          45,179
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                          60,877
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                       65,501
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                                4,865
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                           3,448
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                             78,295
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                             37,072
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                                  24,101
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                  0
<CHANGES>                                                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                                24,101
<EPS-BASIC>                                                 1.79
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                 1.79
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                                   0
<LOANS-NON>                                                    953
<LOANS-PAST>                                                   924
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                             1,277
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                            24,292
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                                6,398
<RECOVERIES>                                                 2,150
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                           24,909
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                        24,909
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                              0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                        400


</TABLE>