<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BEACH FIRST NATIONAL BANCSHARES, INC. FOR THE THREE
MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                       1,327,400
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                             2,270,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                 10,442,854
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                     13,764,828
<ALLOWANCE>                                    204,502
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              29,974,376
<DEPOSITS>                                  23,154,295
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            136,960
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       735,868
<OTHER-SE>                                   5,947,253
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              29,974,376
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                289,825
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              163,256
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                16,267
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               469,448
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             228,368
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             229,258
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          240,190
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   35,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                289,767
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 51,416
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      51,416
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    40,216
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .05
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.90
<LOANS-NON>                                     73,800
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               169,502
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        0
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               35,000
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           204,502
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>