AMERICAN SECURITY BANCSHARES OF VILLE PLATTE, INC.
                              126 E. MAIN STREET
                         VILLE PLATTE, LOUISIANA 70586     

                                     PROXY

          THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
    
The undersigned hereby appoints Drouet W. Vidrine and Michael J. Rhodes or
either of them (with full power to act alone and to appoint a substitute), as
Proxies, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote all the shares of
common stock of American Security Bancshares of Ville Platte, Inc. ("American")
held of record by the undersigned on November 1, 1998, at the special meeting of
shareholders (the "Meeting") to be held on December 29, 1998, at 2:00 p.m.,
local time, and at any and all adjournments thereof as follows:     

1. The proposal to approve and adopt the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan
 of Merger and related merger agreements among Hancock Holding Company
 ("Hancock") and American whereby American will be merged into Hancock and
 American Security Bank will be merged into Hancock Bank of Louisiana.

    FOR _________  AGAINST ________   ABSTAIN ________

 2. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
 business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" Proposal 1.

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE SPECIFIED, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSAL 1.  IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS IS PRESENTED AT SUCH
MEETING, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY THOSE NAMED IN THIS PROXY IN THEIR
DISCRETION.

Please sign exactly as your name appears on certificate(s) representing shares
to be voted by this proxy.  When signing as attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee, or guardian, please give your full title.  If a corporation, please
sign in full corporate name by the president or other authorized officer.  If a
partnership, please sign in full partnership name by an authorized person.  If
shares are held as joint tenants, each holder should sign.
    
Dated ___________________, 1998           Number of Shares: ________________
     

________________________            ________________________
SIGNATURE OF SHAREHOLDER            SIGNATURE OF SHAREHOLDER

PLEASE PROMPTLY COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED
POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.