<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SOUTHFIRST BANCSHARES, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 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>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           3,981
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               3
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     17,134
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                             154
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                               154
<LOANS>                                         71,798
<ALLOWANCE>                                        285
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  97,283
<DEPOSITS>                                      62,542
<SHORT-TERM>                                    13,268
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              2,632
<LONG-TERM>                                      3,790
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      13,616
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                  97,283
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  4,241
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                1,030
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 5,271
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               2,119
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,796
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            2,475
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       36
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 (83)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  2,554
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    617
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       370
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .43
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                   10.76
<LOANS-NON>                                        361
<LOANS-PAST>                                       209
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                   268
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        2
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                  285
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>