<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, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         822,666
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          17,505
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                18,481
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               206,300
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  3,101,080
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       2,072,713
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         2,075,849
<LOANS>                                     20,145,504
<ALLOWANCE>                                    284,532
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              27,350,052
<DEPOSITS>                                  17,593,585
<SHORT-TERM>                                 4,812,087
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            411,748
<LONG-TERM>                                    982,855
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       250,678
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,619,778
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              27,350,052
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                423,670
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               82,387
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 4,593
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               510,650
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             171,041
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             266,094
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          244,556
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   22,375
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  94
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                174,041
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                110,118
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     110,118
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    70,900
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.72
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.39
<LOANS-NON>                                    108,022
<LOANS-PAST>                                    36,919
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   623
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 14,509
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               269,863
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   13,966
<RECOVERIES>                                     2,381
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              284,532
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           284,532
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>