<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CNB
BANCSHARES INC.'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND
1995 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                                <C>                            <C> 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                               YEAR                           YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997                       DEC-31-1996                    DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997                       JAN-01-1996                    JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997                       DEC-31-1996                    DEC-31-1995 
<CASH>                                         106,949                           114,469                        131,275
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                             504                               203                            296
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                12,750                            34,425                         37,250
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0                                 0                              0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,434,763                         1,379,872                        999,400
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         230,903                           248,088                        198,240
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           236,242                           249,150                        199,966
<LOANS>                                      2,517,724                         2,281,546                      2,239,117
<ALLOWANCE>                                     34,694                            31,262                         29,406
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,480,223                         4,216,575                      3,734,963
<DEPOSITS>                                   3,181,447                         3,114,730                      2,881,828
<SHORT-TERM>                                   611,564                           559,869                        351,082  
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             44,716                            39,832                         32,676
<LONG-TERM>                                    308,028                           176,730                        158,046
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                                 0                              0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                                 0                              0 
<COMMON>                                        20,404                            19,887                         18,579
<OTHER-SE>                                     314,064                           305,527                        292,752 
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               4,480,223                         4,216,575                      3,734,963
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                221,576                           203,331                        202,340
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              111,229                            98,530                         75,778
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   817                             1,964                          1,846
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               333,622                           303,825                        279,964
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             128,358                           120,662                        111,807
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             175,626                           154,897                        143,379
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          157,996                           148,928                        136,585
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   11,566                            10,602                          6,927
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               1,310                             1,496                          2,281
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                132,213                           136,994                        118,448
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 74,788                            57,165                         57,838
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      74,788                            57,165                         57,838
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                                 0                              0 
<CHANGES>                                            0                                 0                              0    
<NET-INCOME>                                    49,658                            37,595                         36,626
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.42                              1.81                           1.78
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.37                              1.78                           1.74
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.03                              4.15                           4.13
<LOANS-NON>                                     15,806                            20,509                         20,001
<LOANS-PAST>                                     2,444                             3,757                          2,438
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 1,227                             1,257                            948
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                  9,397                             9,220                          8,330
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                31,262                            29,406                         29,102
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   10,986                            13,989                          9,529
<RECOVERIES>                                     2,852                             3,371                          2,137
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               34,694                            31,262                         29,406
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            31,135                            29,463                         27,437
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0                                 0                              0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          3,559                             1,799                          1,969
        

</TABLE>