<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATMENTS OF SOUTHTRUST CORPORATION FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                         899,010
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                             698
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                40,650
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               856,660
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  3,413,147
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       2,558,476
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         2,605,091
<LOANS>                                     25,657,259
<ALLOWANCE>                                    364,362
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              33,545,164
<DEPOSITS>                                  24,207,757
<SHORT-TERM>                                 4,186,173
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            542,197
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,154,959
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       415,650
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,244,447
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              35,545,164
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              1,548,170
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              302,718
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                38,563
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,889,451
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             656,585
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,029,182
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          860,269
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   65,376
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               2,811
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                672,217
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                403,308
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     270,605
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   270,605
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.66
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.24
<LOANS-NON>                                     96,182
<LOANS-PAST>                                    71,245
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   967
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 35,746
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               315,471
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   50,051
<RECOVERIES>                                    10,568
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              364,362
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           364,362
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>