<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 March
31, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                            $970                    $406
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                              $0                      $0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                $1,870                  $2,450
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                    $0                      $0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     $3,785                  $4,808
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                              $0                      $0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            $3,797                  $4,818
<LOANS>                                        $17,487                 $21,968
<ALLOWANCE>                                       $194                    $236
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 $27,527                 $34,276
<DEPOSITS>                                     $21,058                 $27,771
<SHORT-TERM>                                      $101                    $138
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                 $0                      $0
<LONG-TERM>                                         $0                      $0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               $0                      $0
<PREFERRED>                                         $0                      $0
<COMMON>                                          $722                    $722
<OTHER-SE>                                      $5,646                  $6,380
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 $27,527                 $34,276
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 $1,141                    $553
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                 $382                    $103
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                    $0                      $5
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                $1,523                    $656
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                $641                    $303
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                $641                    $308
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                             $725                    $348
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       $0                      $0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 $12                     $10
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 $1,203                    $344
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 ($262)                      $1
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      ($262)                      $1
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     $0                      $0
<CHANGES>                                           $0                      $0
<NET-INCOME>                                    ($262)                      $1
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   ($.36)                      $0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   ($.36)                      $0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                       0                       0
<LOANS-NON>                                         $0                      $0
<LOANS-PAST>                                        $0                     $75
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                    $0                      $0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                     $0                      $0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                  $194                    $236
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                       $0                      $0
<RECOVERIES>                                        $0                      $0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                   $0                      $0
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                              $194                    $236
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                 $0                      $0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                             $0                      $0