<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR INDEPENDENT BANKSHARES, INC. FOR THE THREE
MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                      12,650,000
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                            15,600,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                 38,178,000
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                      91,756,000
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                        91,258,000
<LOANS>                                    132,328,000<F1>
<ALLOWANCE>                                  1,312,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             266,818,000
<DEPOSITS>                                 245,465,000
<SHORT-TERM>                                   817,000
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                          1,476,000
<LONG-TERM>                                      7,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          135,000
<PREFERRED>                                    135,000
<COMMON>                                       355,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  18,563,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>             266,818,000
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              2,731,000
<INTEREST-INVEST>                            1,310,000
<INTEREST-OTHER>                               255,000
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             4,296,000
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           2,036,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,056,000
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        2,240,000
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              1,890,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                772,000
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     772,000
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   493,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .32
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.00
<LOANS-NON>                                    105,000
<LOANS-PAST>                                   117,000
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                84,000
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               793,000
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  116,000
<RECOVERIES>                                   240,000
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                            1,312,000
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                         1,312,000
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                        513,000
<FN>
<F1>Net of unearned income on installment loans of 2,316,000.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>