<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CONDITION, THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS, AND
TABLES 2, 6 AND 7 OF ITEM 2 OF THE AMSOUTH BANCORPORATION FORM 10-Q FOR THE
QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         585,108
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 2,275
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                 5,346
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  2,022,396
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       2,567,247
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         2,541,803
<LOANS>                                     12,107,303
<ALLOWANCE>                                    179,049
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              18,014,452
<DEPOSITS>                                  12,389,568
<SHORT-TERM>                                 2,509,902
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            253,343
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,485,346
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        90,033
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,286,260
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              18,014,452
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                254,172
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               81,687
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   809
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               336,668
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             115,447
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             169,501
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          167,167
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   17,717
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               2,406
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                128,624
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 84,508
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      84,508
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    54,573
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.65
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.12
<LOANS-NON>                                     79,469
<LOANS-PAST>                                    32,535
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               179,049
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   22,632
<RECOVERIES>                                     4,915
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              179,049
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>