<ARTICLE> 9
<CIK> 0000855876
<NAME> CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                                         
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998                        
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998                        
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998                        
<CASH>                                          31,773                        
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<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               9,608                        
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .20                        
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .20                        
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<LOANS-PAST>                                     1,897                        
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