<ARTICLE>  9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                         319,737
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                             675
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                42,728
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,372,847
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         310,187
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           319,048
<LOANS>                                      7,191,812
<ALLOWANCE>                                    110,458
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               9,840,766
<DEPOSITS>                                   8,026,590
<SHORT-TERM>                                   417,361
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            182,975
<LONG-TERM>                                    129,502
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       267,437
<OTHER-SE>                                     768,064
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               9,840,766
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                488,139
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               78,643
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 2,899
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               569,681
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             228,886
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             244,640
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          325,041
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   20,329
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 750
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                500,498
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                207,014
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     132,863
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   132,863
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .50 <F1>
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    5.24
<LOANS-NON>                                     22,332
<LOANS-PAST>                                    23,938
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                22,332
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               103,050
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   22,074
<RECOVERIES>                                     5,279
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              110,458
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           110,458
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                         21,910
<FN>
<F1> On April 23, 1998, Synovus announced a three-for-two
     stock split to be issued on May 21, 1998, to shareholders
     of record as of May 7, 1998.  Financial data schedules
     have not been restated for prior periods for this recapitalization.
</FN>