<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UNION PLANTERS CORP. FOR THE 3 MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH
31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         479,431
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          12,582
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                63,271
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               164,683
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  3,008,886
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                     10,447,366
<ALLOWANCE>                                    163,980
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              14,932,464
<DEPOSITS>                                  11,395,301
<SHORT-TERM>                                   536,377
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            278,958
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,326,565
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     71,937
<COMMON>                                       330,055
<OTHER-SE>                                     993,271
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              14,932,464
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                238,215
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               47,162
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 5,524
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               290,901
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             106,386
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             135,625
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          155,276
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   12,414
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 116
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                109,229
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 91,085
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      91,085
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    59,192
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .86
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .84
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.73
<LOANS-NON>                                     53,060
<LOANS-PAST>                                   618,812
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 2,394
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 16,969
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               166,853
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   19,413
<RECOVERIES>                                     4,126
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              163,980
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           163,980
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>