<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SOUTHSIDE
BANCSHARES CORP'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 18,949
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 351
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 3,257
<TRADING-ASSETS> 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 157,845
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 48,451
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 48,186
<LOANS> 437,687
<ALLOWANCE> 4,853
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 710,992
<DEPOSITS> 527,383
<SHORT-TERM> 110,784
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 5,151
<LONG-TERM> 988
8,985
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 57,701
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 710,992
<INTEREST-LOAN> 8,771
<INTEREST-INVEST> 3,325
<INTEREST-OTHER> 101
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 12,197
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 4,844
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,345
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 5,852
<LOAN-LOSSES> 97
<SECURITIES-GAINS> 0
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 4,677
<INCOME-PRETAX> 2,212
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 2,212
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,659
<EPS-BASIC> .20
<EPS-DILUTED> .19
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 3.87
<LOANS-NON> 4,096
<LOANS-PAST> 93
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 0
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> 5,830
<CHARGE-OFFS> 1,379
<RECOVERIES> 224
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 4,853
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 4,853
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 0
</TABLE>