<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted Form the Form 10-K and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000885942
<NAME> SOUTHWEST BANCSHARES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           6,300
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           5,380
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     89,967
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                        263,182
<ALLOWANCE>                                        751
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 382,361
<DEPOSITS>                                     280,434
<SHORT-TERM>                                    55,158
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              6,910
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            44
<OTHER-SE>                                      39,815
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<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 21,674
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                5,556
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                27,230
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              11,888
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,277
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           11,953
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       24
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   4
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  9,403
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,834
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       2,628
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,628
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.91
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    7.91
<LOANS-NON>                                        811
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                   754
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                       27
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                  751
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                               751
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0