<ARTICLE> 9 <LEGEND> Financial Data Schedule submitted Under Item 601(a) (27) of Regulation S-B. This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from First Bancshares, Inc. unaudited financial statements for the period ended March 31, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1996 <CASH> $2,673,315 <INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> $0 <FED-FUNDS-SOLD> $0 <TRADING-ASSETS> $0 <INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> $2,945,538 <INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> $0 <INVESTMENTS-MARKET> $0 <LOANS> $0 <ALLOWANCE> $0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> $5,939,156 <DEPOSITS> $0 <SHORT-TERM> $0 <LIABILITIES-OTHER> $16,000 <LONG-TERM> $0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> $0 <PREFERRED> $0 <COMMON> $611,018 <OTHER-SE> $5,312,138 <TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> $5,939,156 <INTEREST-LOAN> $0 <INTEREST-INVEST> $97,682 <INTEREST-OTHER> $0 <INTEREST-TOTAL> $97,682 <INTEREST-DEPOSIT> $0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> $0 <INTEREST-INCOME-NET> $97,682 <LOAN-LOSSES> $0 <SECURITIES-GAINS> $0 <EXPENSE-OTHER> $84,796 <INCOME-PRETAX> $12,886 <INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> $12,886 <EXTRAORDINARY> $0 <CHANGES> $0 <NET-INCOME> $12,886 <EPS-PRIMARY> $.02 <EPS-DILUTED> $.02 <YIELD-ACTUAL> $0 <LOANS-NON> $0 <LOANS-PAST> $0 <LOANS-TROUBLED> $0 <LOANS-PROBLEM> $0 <ALLOWANCE-OPEN> $0 <CHARGE-OFFS> $0 <RECOVERIES> $0 <ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> $0 <ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> $0 <ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> $0 <ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> $0