<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SOUTHFIRST BANCSHARES, INC. FOR
THE THREE MONTH PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1, 1999 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                       5,826,531
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                       1,073,828
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                          0
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                        39,320,995
<LOANS>                                    109,906,704
<ALLOWANCE>                                   (747,256)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             162,672,324
<DEPOSITS>                                 110,296,095
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                         38,023,489
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         9,996
<OTHER-SE>                                  14,342,744
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>             162,672,324
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              2,222,349
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              620,450
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             2,842,799
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           1,149,681
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             517,956
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        1,175,162
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                173,369
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                269,357
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   165,762
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .18
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                       0
<LOANS-NON>                                  1,045,520
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                              1,865,638
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                              (747,256)
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  107,850
<RECOVERIES>                                    (3,191)
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                    0
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0


</TABLE>