<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE JUNE 30,
1996 10-Q OF HILLS BANCORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          10,269
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 9,962
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    104,884
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          21,036
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            20,980
<LOANS>                                        334,577
<ALLOWANCE>                                      6,896
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 490,879
<DEPOSITS>                                     402,558
<SHORT-TERM>                                    35,793
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              3,206
<LONG-TERM>                                      5,802
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         8,925
<OTHER-SE>                                      34,595
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 490,879
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 14,122
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                3,442
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   301
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                17,865
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               8,496
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,640
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            8,225
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      360
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  5,586
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,191
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       2,981
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,981
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.02
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                       0
<LOANS-NON>                                        339
<LOANS-PAST>                                       777
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 6,740
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      204
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                6,896
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             6,896
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0