<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SARASOTA BANCORPORATION, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                       1,666,196
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                             4,056,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                             1,084,826
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                 11,611,685
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                     37,371,697
<ALLOWANCE>                                   (449,652)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              55,340,752
<DEPOSITS>                                  49,383,487
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                          1,476,021
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,715
<OTHER-SE>                                   4,476,529
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              55,340,752
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              2,454,956
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              590,174
<INTEREST-OTHER>                               137,245
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             3,182,375
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           1,502,350
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,550,980
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        1,631,395
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  150,800
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              1,093,856
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                548,029
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     548,029
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (9,000)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   539,029
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.48
<LOANS-NON>                                     15,056
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                150,438
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               313,939
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   40,704
<RECOVERIES>                                    25,617
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              449,652
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>