<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, 1997, AND IS QUALIFED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          388,134
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                            1,272
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 93,392
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                      0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                   1,325,036
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          330,137
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            335,107
<LOANS>                                       6,609,872
<ALLOWANCE>                                     103,050
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                9,260,331
<DEPOSITS>                                    7,707,927
<SHORT-TERM>                                    305,868
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             174,065
<LONG-TERM>                                     126,174
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                           0
<COMMON>                                        175,322
<OTHER-SE>                                      728,334
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                9,260,331
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 618,172
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               105,342
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                  2,159
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                725,673
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              287,260
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              313,284
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           412,389
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    32,296
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 (23)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 610,436
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 258,903
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      165,236
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                    165,236
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       .95
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       .93<F1>
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                     5.26
<LOANS-NON>                                      18,472
<LOANS-PAST>                                     20,881
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 18,472
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                       0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 94,683
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    31,818
<RECOVERIES>                                      7,889
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               103,050
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            103,050
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                   0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          21,479
<FN>
<F1>ON MARCH 10, 1997, SYNOVUS ANNOUNCED A THREE-FOR-TWO STOCK SPLIT TO BE ISSUED
ON APRIL 8, 1997, TO SHAREHOLDERS OF RECORD AS OF MARCH 21, 1997. FINANCIAL
DATA SCHEDULES HAVE NOT BEEN RESTATED FOR PRIOR PERIODS FOR THIS
RECAPITALIZATION.
</FN>