You can check the "ACM Word Template for SIG Site"...
In Page 2 column 1, you can find this section...
4. FIGURES/CAPTIONS
Place Tables/Figures/Images in text as close to the reference as possible (see Figure 1). It may extend across both columns to a maximum width of 17.78 cm (7”).
In Page 2 column 2, you can find figure 1.
That is, the figure or table can come later...
Anyway, this is my interpretation of ACM guideline.
If figure 1 appears first, the reader may not be clear of its purpose.
But psychresearcher's suggestion is also possible for other writings...