<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SOUTHTRUST CORPORATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         833,531
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          14,725
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                72,512
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               272,624
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  2,873,937
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       1,729,728
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         1,746,430
<LOANS>                                     18,057,759
<ALLOWANCE>                                    252,883
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              24,775,950
<DEPOSITS>                                  16,624,659
<SHORT-TERM>                                 3,924,628
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            353,673
<LONG-TERM>                                  2,180,690
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       241,729
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,436,461
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              24,775,950
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              1,076,672
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              218,846
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                16,818
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,312,336
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             473,255
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             682,335
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          630,001
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   62,830
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 142
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                471,732
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                281,017
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     281,017
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   186,285
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.98
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.98
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.33
<LOANS-NON>                                     96,374
<LOANS-PAST>                                    44,827
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 2,341
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 24,683
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               206,638
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   12,781
<RECOVERIES>                                     2,432
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              252,883
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           252,883
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>