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: July 16, 2004




                        The South Financial Group, Inc.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)




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


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



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









ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

         On July 16, 2004, The South Financial Group,  Inc.  ("TSFG")  completed
its acquisition of CNB Florida  Bancshares,  Inc. ("CNBB").  In the transaction,
CNBB common  shareholders  received  0.84  shares of TSFG common  stock for each
share of CNBB common stock.  Approximately 5,313,036 shares of TSFG common stock
are being issued in connection  with the  outstanding  CNBB common and preferred
stock.  In  addition,  approximately  442,404  shares of TSFG  common  stock are
issuable in connection with outstanding CNBB options.

         CNBB had approximately $850 million in assets, and operated through its
wholly owned banking  subsidiary,  CNB National  Bank.  In  connection  with the
acquisition,  CNB National Bank was merged into Mercantile Bank,  TSFG's Florida
banking subsidiary.

         In  connection  with the  transaction,  Jon W.  Pritchett  has become a
member of the TSFG board of directors.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(a)  Financial Statements of the Businesses Acquired. Not Applicable

(b)  Pro Forma Financial Information. Not Applicable

(c)  Exhibits.

     Exhibit No.

     2.1  Agreement and Plan of Merger between CNB Florida Bancshares,  Inc. and
          The South Financial Group,  Inc.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
          2.1 of The South Financial Group's Registration Statement on Form S-4,
          Registration No. 333 - 114848.







                                   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.


                                               THE SOUTH FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.


July 20, 2004                         By:      /s/ William P. Crawford, Jr.
                                               -------------------------------
                                               William P. Crawford, Jr.
                                               Executive Vice President