<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SOUTHFIRST BANCSHARES, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           5,625
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     36,946
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                             553
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                               553
<LOANS>                                        105,943
<ALLOWANCE>                                        615
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 159,193
<DEPOSITS>                                     124,178
<SHORT-TERM>                                    10,755
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              3,124
<LONG-TERM>                                      5,414
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      15,722
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 159,193
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  2,081
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                  572
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 2,653
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               1,473
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,696
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                              957
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       37
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  1,380
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    112
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        67
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .07
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    7.39
<LOANS-NON>                                      2,182
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                   732
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      146
<RECOVERIES>                                         8
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                  615
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                               615
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0