<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, 7, AND 8 OF ITEM 2 OF THE AMSOUTH BANCORPORATION FORM 10-Q FOR THE
QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995, 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-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                         594,064
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 7,250
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                11,128
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    522,805
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       3,258,715
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         3,273,713
<LOANS>                                     12,001,811
<ALLOWANCE>                                    179,550
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              17,004,235
<DEPOSITS>                                  13,172,226
<SHORT-TERM>                                 1,851,180
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            280,516
<LONG-TERM>                                    313,094
<COMMON>                                        59,980
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,327,239
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              17,004,235
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                755,719
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              187,705
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 5,263
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               948,687
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             410,979
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             506,665
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          442,022
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   30,049
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 481
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                391,792
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                200,139
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     200,139
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   127,063
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.88
<LOANS-NON>                                     89,355
<LOANS-PAST>                                    45,548
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               171,167
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   33,284
<RECOVERIES>                                     9,865
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              179,550
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>