<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 FORM 10-Q OF HILLS BANCORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 21,381
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 5,510
<TRADING-ASSETS> 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 134,337
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 24,504
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 24,602
<LOANS> 632,622
<ALLOWANCE> 10,048
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 841,778
<DEPOSITS> 621,404
<SHORT-TERM> 12,377
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 5,772
<LONG-TERM> 125,669
11,735
0
<COMMON> 10,214
<OTHER-SE> 54,607
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 841,778
<INTEREST-LOAN> 36,813
<INTEREST-INVEST> 6,851
<INTEREST-OTHER> 346
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 44,010
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 17,870
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 23,998
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 20,012
<LOAN-LOSSES> 711
<SECURITIES-GAINS> 0
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 14,804
<INCOME-PRETAX> 10,037
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 6,939
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 6,939
<EPS-BASIC> 4.63
<EPS-DILUTED> 4.60
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 0
<LOANS-NON> 98
<LOANS-PAST> 2,215
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 0
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 8,908
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> 9,750
<CHARGE-OFFS> 413
<RECOVERIES> 0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 10,048
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 10,048
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 0
</TABLE>