<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NBT
BANCORP INC'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1997, 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>                                          42,901
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           2,067
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    404,022
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          44,380
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            44,378
<LOANS>                                        668,809
<ALLOWANCE>                                     10,677
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,202,582
<DEPOSITS>                                     972,460
<SHORT-TERM>                                    93,283
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              8,791
<LONG-TERM>                                     20,192
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         9,002
<OTHER-SE>                                      98,854
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,202,582
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 15,198
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                7,036
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                    49
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                22,283
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               8,393
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,659
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           12,624
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      715
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  17
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  8,559
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,370
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       3,445
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,445
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.40
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.71
<LOANS-NON>                                      3,258
<LOANS-PAST>                                       625
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 37,866
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                10,473
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      701
<RECOVERIES>                                       190
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               10,677
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             7,354
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          3,323