<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31,
1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000877987
<NAME> FIRST COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         959,404
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                       7,023,299
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,963,721
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       2,482,552
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         2,484,552
<LOANS>                                     68,516,133
<ALLOWANCE>                                    655,150
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              83,745,655
<DEPOSITS>                                  73,984,221
<SHORT-TERM>                                 2,378,830
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            232,555
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     6,181,486
<OTHER-SE>                                     762,901
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              83,745,655
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              1,531,909
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              132,766
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,664,675
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             814,494
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             849,597
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          815,078
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   54,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                593,632
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                241,071
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     241,071
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   163,241
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.17
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.17
<LOANS-NON>                                    186,000
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                528,022
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               644,000
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   47,000
<RECOVERIES>                                     4,000
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              655,150
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           655,150
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0