<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains financial information extracted from the consolidated
financial statements of First Southern Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiary for the
nine months ended September 30, 2000 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 5,900
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 386
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 0
<TRADING-ASSETS> 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 4,432
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 3,400
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 3,244
<LOANS> 147,063
<ALLOWANCE> 1,507
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 171,748
<DEPOSITS> 129,542
<SHORT-TERM> 16,150
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 793
<LONG-TERM> 13,051
0
0
<COMMON> 21
<OTHER-SE> 12,191
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 171,748
<INTEREST-LOAN> 10,517
<INTEREST-INVEST> 389
<INTEREST-OTHER> 165
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 10,778
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 4,370
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,930
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 4,848
<LOAN-LOSSES> 3,152
<SECURITIES-GAINS> 0
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 3,754
<INCOME-PRETAX> (1,503)
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> (904)
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (904)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.72)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.71)
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 3.68
<LOANS-NON> 1,224
<LOANS-PAST> 3,180
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 0
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 1,224
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> 1,400
<CHARGE-OFFS> 3,116
<RECOVERIES> 71
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 1,507
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 1,450
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 57
</TABLE>