<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SOUTHBANC SHARES, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           7,277
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          13,970
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     97,234
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                        219,896
<ALLOWANCE>                                      2,374
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 362,529
<DEPOSITS>                                     207,791
<SHORT-TERM>                                    25,000
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              4,157
<LONG-TERM>                                     51,174
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        57,508
<OTHER-SE>                                      16,899
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 362,529
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 17,275
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                6,662
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                23,937
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               8,902
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,256
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           11,681
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      606
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 177
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  8,525
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,811
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       1,811
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,262
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.29
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    7.90
<LOANS-NON>                                      1,175
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                    89
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 1,886
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      174
<RECOVERIES>                                        55
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                2,374
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          2,374