<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE JUNE 30, 1999 FORM
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-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          17,320
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                11,916
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    127,733
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          19,076
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            19,318
<LOANS>                                        518,607
<ALLOWANCE>                                      9,227
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 719,455
<DEPOSITS>                                     545,008
<SHORT-TERM>                                    27,089
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              4,643
<LONG-TERM>                                     75,132
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           10,269
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         9,785
<OTHER-SE>                                      47,529
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 719,455
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 19,878
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                4,290
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   357
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                24,525
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              10,278
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,592
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           11,933
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      408
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  8,844
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,013
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       4,160
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,160
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.78
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                       0
<LOANS-NON>                                          0
<LOANS-PAST>                                     1,749
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                  9,413
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 8,856
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                       37
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                9,227
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             9,227
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0