<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SOUTHFIRST BANCSHARES, INC. FOR THE
NINE-MONTH PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1, 1999 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 5,644,266
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 1,211,151
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 0
<TRADING-ASSETS> 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 38,970,506
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 0
<LOANS> 112,007,536
<ALLOWANCE> (697,063)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 164,943,761
<DEPOSITS> 106,300,339
<SHORT-TERM> 0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 44,222,222
<LONG-TERM> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 9,996
<OTHER-SE> 14,411,204
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 164,943,761
<INTEREST-LOAN> 6,951,951
<INTEREST-INVEST> 1,813,410
<INTEREST-OTHER> 96,093
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 8,861,454
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 3,354,016
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,882,241
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 3,625,197
<LOAN-LOSSES> 5,572
<SECURITIES-GAINS> 1,937
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 599,089
<INCOME-PRETAX> 1,174,590
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 718,597
<EPS-BASIC> .79
<EPS-DILUTED> .79
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 0
<LOANS-NON> 436
<LOANS-PAST> 0
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 0
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 2,293,882
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> (697,063)
<CHARGE-OFFS> 188,492
<RECOVERIES> (28,068)
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 0
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 0
</TABLE>