<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FIRST BANKSHARES, INC FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           7,581
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 4,680
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     20,792
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          20,792
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            20,792
<LOANS>                                         81,983
<ALLOWANCE>                                      1,129
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 121,379
<DEPOSITS>                                      91,565
<SHORT-TERM>                                    18,400
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              2,065
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,052
<OTHER-SE>                                       8,297
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 121,379
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  7,517
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                1,357
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                    73
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 8,947
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               2,807
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,252
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            5,696
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       84
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  29
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  4,800
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,931
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       2,931
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,846
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.71
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    9.97
<LOANS-NON>                                          0
<LOANS-PAST>                                       118
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 1,027
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                       50
<RECOVERIES>                                        68
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                1,129
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             1,129
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>