<ARTICLE>   9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP. AS OF
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                          
<PERIOD-TYPE>                9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                  DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                     JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                       SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                 395,702
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                   1,856
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                        78,862
<TRADING-ASSETS>                             0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>          1,715,215
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                 283,518
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                   282,171
<LOANS>                              8,700,175
<ALLOWANCE>                            122,560
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                      11,977,091
<DEPOSITS>                           9,275,346
<SHORT-TERM>                         1,010,166
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                    216,143
<LONG-TERM>                            228,790
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                        0
<PREFERRED>                                  0
<COMMON>                               279,902
<OTHER-SE>                             905,943
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>      11,977,091
<INTEREST-LOAN>                        558,068
<INTEREST-INVEST>                       87,979
<INTEREST-OTHER>                         1,672
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                       647,719
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                     238,116
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                     270,378
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                  377,341
<LOAN-LOSSES>                           25,343
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                         874
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                        636,601
<INCOME-PRETAX>                        250,359
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>             162,051
<EXTRAORDINARY>                              0
<CHANGES>                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                           162,051
<EPS-BASIC>                               0.58
<EPS-DILUTED>                             0.57
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                            5.09
<LOANS-NON>                             26,628
<LOANS-PAST>                            16,877
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                           309
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                              0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                       114,109
<CHARGE-OFFS>                           22,845
<RECOVERIES>                             5,660
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                      122,560
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                   122,560
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                          0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                 28,066