<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SOUTHFIRST BANCSHARES FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           2,448
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     16,666
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                             162
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                               162
<LOANS>                                         71,967
<ALLOWANCE>                                        284
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  95,789
<DEPOSITS>                                      60,553
<SHORT-TERM>                                    13,268
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              3,120
<LONG-TERM>                                      3,790
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      13,623
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                  95,789
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  5,761
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                1,332
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 7,093
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               2,820
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,802
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            3,292
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       36
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 147
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  3,558
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    799
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       495
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .62
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.10
<LOANS-NON>                                        707
<LOANS-PAST>                                       591
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                   251
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        4
<RECOVERIES>                                         1
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                  284
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>