<ARTICLE> 9
<CIK> 0000857855
<NAME> UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                          89,231
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
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<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    534,503
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<ALLOWANCE>                                     17,722
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<DEPOSITS>                                   1,649,392
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<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             24,378
<LONG-TERM>                                    225,755
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<PREFERRED>                                          0
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<INTEREST-INVEST>                               29,148
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 1,050
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              81,766
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           67,974
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    5,104
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<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 54,165
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<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.70
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<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.98
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<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    2,853
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<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            17,722
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
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