<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 YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                         970,349
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                             2,250,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                 11,524,689
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                     21,095,556
<ALLOWANCE>                                    263,215
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              37,944,622
<DEPOSITS>                                  31,135,042
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            177,012
<LONG-TERM>                                    158,912
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       735,868
<OTHER-SE>                                  (5,737,788)
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              37,944,622
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              1,444,855
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              722,708
<INTEREST-OTHER>                               133,807
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             2,301,370
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           1,139,311
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,153,927
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        1,147,443
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  272,500
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                             (12,467)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              1,316,254
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (304,183)
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                    (304,183)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (233,183)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.32)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.32)
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    7.82
<LOANS-NON>                                          0
<LOANS-PAST>                                     1,080
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               169,502
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  180,286
<RECOVERIES>                                     1,499
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              263,215
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                        263,215
        

</TABLE>