<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, 1999 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-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                           6,430
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                         117,229
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     32,056
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                             544
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                               544
<LOANS>                                        107,213
<ALLOWANCE>                                        625
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 155,528
<DEPOSITS>                                     120,388
<SHORT-TERM>                                    12,319
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              1,565
<LONG-TERM>                                      4,600
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            10
<OTHER-SE>                                      16,338
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 155,528
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  4,155
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                1,074
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 5,229
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               2,841
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,290
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            1,938
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       62
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  44
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  2,821
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    342
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                         342
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       207
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .23
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    7.11
<LOANS-NON>                                        938
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                  1,345
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                   732
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      138
<RECOVERIES>                                        16
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                  625
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>