<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SOUTHFIRST BANCSHARES INC. FOR THE SIX 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          16,695
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     33,714
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                           1,058
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                             1,058
<LOANS>                                        102,654
<ALLOWANCE>                                        779
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 162,279
<DEPOSITS>                                     124,100
<SHORT-TERM>                                    12,254
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              3,889
<LONG-TERM>                                      3,791
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      16,348
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 162,279
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  4,009
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                1,439
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 5,449
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               2,421
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,004
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            2,445
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       22
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  2,599
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    698
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       424
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .45
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    7.99
<LOANS-NON>                                          0
<LOANS-PAST>                                 1,574,000
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                   788
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        0
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                  779
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>