<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE JUNE 30,
1999 UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SOUTHFIRST BANCSHARES, INC. FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 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>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                           5,445
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     29,782
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                             948
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            30,730
<LOANS>                                        106,867
<ALLOWANCE>                                       (637)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 151,297
<DEPOSITS>                                     116,143
<SHORT-TERM>                                    17,154
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              1,525
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            10
<OTHER-SE>                                      15,047
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 151,297
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  6,299
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                1,510
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 7,809
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               4,143
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 676
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            2,991
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      109
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 138
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                    423
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    602
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       365
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .41
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    7.37
<LOANS-NON>                                      1,378
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                  1,378
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                   747
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      223
<RECOVERIES>                                        31
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                  637
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                            637


</TABLE>