<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A)
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF STERLING BANCSHARES, INC. AND ITS
SUBSIDIARIES AS OF AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) FORM 10Q AS OF MARCH 31, 1998
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          73,762
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                             418
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                15,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     56,463
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         171,847
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           174,305
<LOANS>                                        793,103
<ALLOWANCE>                                    (7,929)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,177,310
<DEPOSITS>                                   1,039,904
<SHORT-TERM>                                    19,463
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              5,113
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        177
<COMMON>                                        20,860
<OTHER-SE>                                      63,043
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,177,310
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 17,618
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                3,896
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   596
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                22,110
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               6,444
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,682
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           15,428
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      880
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 11,615
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,551
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       5,551
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,675
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .17
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    5.98
<LOANS-NON>                                      4,055
<LOANS-PAST>                                       302
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 12,395
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 7,377
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      413
<RECOVERIES>                                        85
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                7,929
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             4,028
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          3,901
        

</TABLE>