<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains financial information extracted from the consolidated
financial statements of SouthBanc Shares, Inc. for the nine months ended June
30, 2000, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> OCT-1-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 6,183,330
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 6,551,956
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 0
<TRADING-ASSETS> 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 62,362,706
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 0
<LOANS> 281,963,383
<ALLOWANCE> (2,916,095)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 386,005,659
<DEPOSITS> 233,248,528
<SHORT-TERM> 81,452,480
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 0
<LONG-TERM> 15,000,000
0
0
<COMMON> 30,291,571
<OTHER-SE> 20,094,642
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 386,005,659
<INTEREST-LOAN> 16,208,996
<INTEREST-INVEST> 4,000,947
<INTEREST-OTHER> 0
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 20,209,943
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 7,036,603
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,249,212
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 8,960,731
<LOAN-LOSSES> 435,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS> (94,702)
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 7,014,781
<INCOME-PRETAX> 5,670,349
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 5,670,349
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 3,856,405
<EPS-BASIC> 1.30
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.23
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 7.84
<LOANS-NON> 4,908,206
<LOANS-PAST> 0
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 480,941
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 219,960
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> 2,849,385
<CHARGE-OFFS> 175,904
<RECOVERIES> 39,337
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 2,916,095
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 219,968
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 2,696,135
</TABLE>