<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
Financial Data Schedule Submitted Under Item 601(a)(27) of Regulation S-B

This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from The First
Bancshares, Inc. unaudited financial statements for the period ended 
September 30, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          $1,459                  $1,124
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                              $0                      $0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                $2,311                  $1,560
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                    $0                      $0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     $4,216                  $4,303
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                              $0                      $0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            $4,219                  $4,319
<LOANS>                                         $4,327                 $14,510
<ALLOWANCE>                                      ($37)                  ($159)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 $14,177                 $24,303
<DEPOSITS>                                      $7,507                 $17,740
<SHORT-TERM>                                        $0                      $0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                $50                    $157
<LONG-TERM>                                         $0                      $0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               $0                      $0
<PREFERRED>                                         $0                      $0
<COMMON>                                          $722                    $722
<OTHER-SE>                                      $5,898                  $5,684
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 $14,177                 $24,303
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                    $80                    $707
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                 $180                    $223
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                  $189                    $125
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                  $449                  $1,055
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                 $73                    $469
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 $79                      $0
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                             $370                    $585
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       $0                      $0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  $3                     $15
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                   $730                    $870
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 ($356)                  ($227)
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      ($356)                  ($227)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     $0                      $0
<CHANGES>                                           $0                      $0
<NET-INCOME>                                    ($356)                  ($227)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   ($.58)                  ($.31)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   ($.58)                  ($.31)
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                      $0                      $0
<LOANS-NON>                                         $0                      $0
<LOANS-PAST>                                        $0                      $0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                    $0                      $0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                     $0                      $0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                    $0                      $0
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                       $0                      $0
<RECOVERIES>                                        $0                      $0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                   $0                      $0
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                               $37                    $159
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                 $0                      $0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                            $37                    $159