<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 9
<CIK> 0000705432
<NAME> SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000 DEC-31-1999
<CASH> 33,898 41,131
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 0 0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 0 0
<TRADING-ASSETS> 0 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 305,786 388,463
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 256,833 160,106
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 252,638 156,265
<LOANS> 429,210 387,446
<ALLOWANCE> 5,085 4,575
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,062,782 1,012,565
<DEPOSITS> 642,240 587,544
<SHORT-TERM> 156,629 186,041
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 8,863 6,604
<LONG-TERM> 212,244 194,704
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 9,780 9,748
<OTHER-SE> 33,026 27,924
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 1,062,782 1,012,565
<INTEREST-LOAN> 16,802 28,198
<INTEREST-INVEST> 18,194 32,068
<INTEREST-OTHER> 1,050 422
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 36,046 60,688
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 21,092 36,016
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 14,954 24,672
<LOAN-LOSSES> 783 1,456
<SECURITIES-GAINS> (459) 149
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 12,530 22,524
<INCOME-PRETAX> 6,351 9,924
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 6,351 9,924
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 4,911 7,924
<EPS-BASIC> .68 1.08
<EPS-DILUTED> .66 1.05
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</TABLE>