<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SOUTHFIRST BANCSHARES, INC. FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 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-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           9,214
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     36,824
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                             971
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                               971
<LOANS>                                        105,322
<ALLOWANCE>                                        732
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 158,518
<DEPOSITS>                                     123,884
<SHORT-TERM>                                    12,254
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              2,794
<LONG-TERM>                                      3,791
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      15,671
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 158,518
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  8,273
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                2,825
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                11,098
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               5,416
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,565
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            4,533
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       45
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 124
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  5,455
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,024
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       635
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.67
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.08
<LOANS-NON>                                      2,128
<LOANS-PAST>                                       394
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                   284
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                       98
<RECOVERIES>                                        13
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                  732
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>