<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FORM THE MARCH
31, 1997 FORM 10-Q OF HILLS BANCORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          12,250
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                   207
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    114,558
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          23,256
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            23,348
<LOANS>                                        390,167
<ALLOWANCE>                                      7,296
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 555,623
<DEPOSITS>                                     448,926
<SHORT-TERM>                                    17,977
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              4,277
<LONG-TERM>                                     30,765
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         8,990
<OTHER-SE>                                      38,112
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 555,623
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  8,041
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                1,967
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                    41
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                10,049
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               4,603
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,222
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            4,827
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      195
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  3,460
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,297
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       1,611
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,611
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.09
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                       0
<LOANS-NON>                                        376
<LOANS-PAST>                                       929
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                  6,435
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 7,311
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      210
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                7,296
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             7,296
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0