<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP. FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         404,952
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           2,040
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                38,249
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,276,083
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         363,008
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           364,694
<LOANS>                                      6,065,230
<ALLOWANCE>                                     94,683
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,612,344
<DEPOSITS>                                   7,203,035
<SHORT-TERM>                                   339,200
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            154,641
<LONG-TERM>                                     97,283
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       116,424
<OTHER-SE>                                     667,326
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               8,612,344
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                562,208
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               99,170
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 1,925
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               663,303
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             267,349
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             288,429
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          374,874
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   31,766
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                (176)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                549,174
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                219,312
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     139,604
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   139,604
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.20
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    5.19
<LOANS-NON>                                     25,280
<LOANS-PAST>                                    15,805
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                25,280
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                81,384
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   25,180
<RECOVERIES>                                     6,525
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               94,683
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            94,683
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                         22,951