<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SOUTHFIRST BANCSHARES, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD
ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 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-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           3,077
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               3
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     18,739
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                             154
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                               154
<LOANS>                                         67,025
<ALLOWANCE>                                        268
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  92,910
<DEPOSITS>                                      63,817
<SHORT-TERM>                                     7,367
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              2,022
<LONG-TERM>                                      5,690
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      12,988
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                  92,910
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  2,750
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                  716
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 3,466
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               1,429
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,849
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            1,617
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       18
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 (37)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  1,541
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    410
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       249
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .30
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.02
<LOANS-NON>                                        309
<LOANS-PAST>                                       130
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                   251
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                       17
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                  268
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>