<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 3, 7 AND 8 OF ITEM 2 OF THE AMSOUTH BANCORPORATION FORM 10-Q FOR THE
QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         632,117
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                26,400
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                 4,238
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  2,712,197
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       2,722,661
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         2,703,451
<LOANS>                                     11,918,492
<ALLOWANCE>                                    179,350
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              18,615,080
<DEPOSITS>                                  12,456,219
<SHORT-TERM>                                 1,952,071
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            243,849
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,305,570
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        60,025
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,338,441
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              18,615,080
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                750,958
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              254,609
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 5,677
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,011,244
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             392,518
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             528,329
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          482,915
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   46,674
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               5,224
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                403,260
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                207,756
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     207,756
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   131,061
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.31
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.90
<LOANS-NON>                                     81,007
<LOANS-PAST>                                    39,535
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               178,451
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   60,270
<RECOVERIES>                                    14,495
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              179,350
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>