UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report: February 13, 1998




                           CAROLINA FIRST CORPORATION
                           --------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)




 South Carolina                  0-15083                    57-0824914
 --------------                  -------                    ----------
 (State or other juris-        (Commission                (IRS Employer
diction of incorporation)      File Number)            Identification Number)


         102 South Main Street, Greenville, South Carolina      29601
         -------------------------------------------------      -----
         (Address of principal executive offices)             (Zip Code)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (864) 255-7900




                   The Exhibit Index appears on page 4 hereof.
 
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ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS

         See attached Press Release.


ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(a)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE BUSINESSES ACQUIRED.   Not Applicable

(b)  PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION.  Not Applicable

(c)  EXHIBITS.

         99.1     Press Release


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                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                            CAROLINA FIRST CORPORATION


February 13, 1998                  By:      /s/ William S. Hummers III
                                            --------------------------
                                            William S. Hummers III
                                            Executive Vice President

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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT

99.1     Press Release



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