<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SOUTHTRUST CORPORATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH
31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         801,532
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                             246
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                28,700
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               673,060
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  3,206,710
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       2,765,401
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         2,798,172
<LOANS>                                     23,548,847
<ALLOWANCE>                                    335,995
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              32,697,604
<DEPOSITS>                                  20,532,916
<SHORT-TERM>                                 5,125,440
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            563,169
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,205,933
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       403,606
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,082,201
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              32,697,604
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                492,715
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               94,450
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                10,297
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               597,462
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             204,211
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             324,112
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          273,350
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   17,855
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               2,152
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                212,506
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                131,107
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      86,452
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    86,452
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.54
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.31
<LOANS-NON>                                    131,258
<LOANS-PAST>                                    54,120
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 1,157
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                  9,700
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               315,471
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   16,322
<RECOVERIES>                                     3,253
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              335,995
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           335,995
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>