SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
November 11, 2002

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

      Mississippi                 0-13089                  64-0169065
     (State or other            (Commission File         (I.R.S. Employer
     jurisdiction of               Number)                 Identification Number)
     incorporation)

One Hancock Plaza, 2510 14th Street,
Gulfport, Mississippi                           39501
(Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip code)

(228) 868-4000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT

Item 5. Other Events

        Hancock Holding Company made a presentation today at The Wall Street Analyst's Forum Institutional Investor Conference in New York City. At the conference, Hancock Chief Executive Officer George A. Schloegel and Chief Financial Officer Carl J. Chaney reviewed the company's recent financial performance and business strategies. Based on financial results and current assessment of economic conditions, Hancock Holding Company revised its 2002 fourth quarter earnings-per-share guidance to a range of $0.80 to $0.82 and its 2003 earnings-per-share range of $3.28 to $3.32.

        Investors and analysts can access a replay of Hancock's 20-minute presentation for the next 10 days at www.hancockbank.com.

Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

             (c)  Exhibits.

                      99.    Press Release issued by Hancock Holding Company
                             dated November 11, 2002, headed "Hancock Holding
                             Company Presents at The Wall Street Analyst's Forum
                             Institutional Investor Conference."

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SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: November 11, 2002

                                     HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY
                                     (Registrant)


                                     By:   /s/ Carl J. Chaney
                                        --------------------------------
                                           Carl J. Chaney
                                           Chief Financial Officer

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                         Exhibit 99 to Hancock Holding Company Form 8-K

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 11, 2002

FOR MORE INFORMATION
George A. Schloegel, Chief Executive Officer
Carl J. Chaney, Chief Financial Officer
800.522.6542 or 228.868.4727



                            Hancock Holding Company presents at The Wall Street
                            Analyst's Forum Institutional Investor Conference

     GULFPORT,  MS (November 11, 2002) - Hancock Holding Company (NASDAQ:  HBHC), parent company of Hancock Bank, today
presented at The Wall Street Analyst's Forum Institutional Investor Conference in New York City.

     At the  conference,  Hancock Chief Executive  Officer George A. Schloegel and Chief Financial  Officer Carl J.
Chaney reviewed the company's  recent financial  performance and business  strategies.  Based on financial  results
and  current  assessment  of economic  conditions,  Hancock  Holding  Company  revised its 2002 fourth quarter earnings-per-share
guidance to a range of $0.80 to $0.82 and its 2003 earnings-per-share range of
$3.28 to $3.32.

     Investors and analysts can access a replay of Hancock's 20-minute presentation for the next 10 days at www.hancockbank.com.

     Hancock  Holding  Company - parent company of Hancock Bank  (Mississippi)  and Hancock Bank of Louisiana - has
assets of $3.9  billion.  Founded in 1899,  Hancock Bank stands among the  strongest,  safest  five-star  financial
institutions  in America.  Hancock Bank operates 102  full-service  offices and over 140 automated  teller machines
throughout South  Mississippi and Louisiana as well as subsidiaries  Hancock  Investment  Services,  Inc.,  Hancock
Insurance Agency, Hancock Mortgage Corporation, and Harrison Finance Company.

     Additional   corporate   information   and  on-line   banking  and  bill  pay   services   are   available  at
www.hancockbank.com.




    "SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE  SECURITIES  LITIGATION  REFORM ACT OF 1995:  Congress passed the
    Private  Securities  Litigation Act of 1995 in an effort to encourage  corporations to provide  information
    about  companies'  anticipated  future  financial  performance.  This act  provides a safe  harbor for such
    disclosure,  which protects the companies from unwarranted  litigation if actual results are different from
    management  expectations.  This release  contains  forward-looking  statements  and  reflects  management's
    current views and estimates of future economic  circumstances,  industry  conditions,  company performance,
    and  financial  results.  These  forward-looking  statements  are  subject  to  a  number  of  factors  and
    uncertainties  which could cause the company's actual results and experience to differ from the anticipated
    results and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements.