<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BEACH FIRST
NATIONAL BANCSHARES, INC. UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         107,248
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                             4,500,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,692,735
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                              0
<ALLOWANCE>                                          0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,769,190
<DEPOSITS>                                     280,785
<SHORT-TERM>                                   217,000
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             67,502
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       651,144
<OTHER-SE>                                   5,552,759
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               6,769,190
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                      0
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              183,835
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               183,835
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                 269
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,306
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          164,529
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                227,587
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (63,056)
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     (63,056)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (63,056)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.05)
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    5.30
<LOANS-NON>                                          0
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                     0
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        0
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                    0
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0