<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FORSYTH BANCSHARES INC. FOR THE 9 MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN THE ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           2,438
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 4,840
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                      9,297
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                           4,483
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                         13,953
<ALLOWANCE>                                        149
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  35,763
<DEPOSITS>                                      28,101
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                178
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,960
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                  35,763
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                    532
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                  667
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 1,199
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                 521
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   7
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                              671
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      147
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                    868
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      0
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (313)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.39)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                       0
<LOANS-NON>                                          0
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                   147
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        0
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                    0
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>