<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BEACH FIRST
NATIONAL BANCSHARES, INC. UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
MARCH 31, 1997 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-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         724,429
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                             3,080,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  8,136,413
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                      4,087,921
<ALLOWANCE>                                     57,002
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              17,159,701
<DEPOSITS>                                  10,264,384
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             40,629
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       735,868
<OTHER-SE>                                   6,118,820
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              17,159,701
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 55,366
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              158,050
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               213,416
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              84,082
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              84,082
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          129,334
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   40,500
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  42
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                166,710
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (76,046)
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     (76,046)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (76,046)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.10)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.10)
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.92
<LOANS-NON>                                          0
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                16,502
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        0
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               57,002
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            56,000
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          1,002
        

</TABLE>