<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, 1997 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-31-1997    
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         836,684
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          19,557
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                72,050
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               370,055
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  3,349,776
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       2,419,125
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         2,452,014
<LOANS>                                     21,667,790
<ALLOWANCE>                                    310,725
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              29,764,194
<DEPOSITS>                                  19,010,915
<SHORT-TERM>                                 4,779,069
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            435,612
<LONG-TERM>                                    981,893
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       251,129
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,763,950
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              29,764,194
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              1,348,802
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              275,798
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                18,478
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,643,078
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             547,002
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             870,703
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          772,375
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   68,879
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               1,451
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                549,186
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                350,130
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     350,130
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   224,755
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.25
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.38
<LOANS-NON>                                    115,174
<LOANS-PAST>                                    50,861
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   603
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 24,552
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               269,863
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   43,160
<RECOVERIES>                                     8,372
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              310,725
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           310,725
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>