<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
	<periodOfReport>2003-07-01</periodOfReport>
	<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000003133</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMSOUTH BANCORPORATION</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ASO</issuerTradingSymbol>
	</issuer>
	<reportingOwner>
		<reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001219903</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>THOMAS CLEOPHUS JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
			<isDirector>1</isDirector>
			<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
			<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
			<isOther>0</isOther>
		</reportingOwnerRelationship>
	</reportingOwner>
	<nonDerivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>Common Stock</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<transactionDate>
			<value>2003-07-01</value>
		</transactionDate>
		<transactionCoding>
			<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
			<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
			<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
			<footnoteId id="F1"/>
		</transactionCoding>
		<transactionAmounts>
			<transactionShares>
				<value>360.29</value>
			</transactionShares>
			<transactionValue>
				<value>22.06</value>
			</transactionValue>
			<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
				<value>A</value>
			</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
		</transactionAmounts>
		<postTransactionAmounts>
			<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
				<value>9197.5524</value>
				<footnoteId id="F2"/>
				<footnoteId id="F3"/>
			</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
		</postTransactionAmounts>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</nonDerivativeSecurity>
	<footnotes>
		<footnote id="F1">Acquisition of phantom stock units, which are settled only in stock, under AmSouth Bancorporation's Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F2">Includes regular contributions of shares acquired in an exempt transaction pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan as of 7/1/03.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F3">In addition to the shares represented, reporting person also holds 900 shares indirectly by self as custodian for his son and 511.046 shares indirectly by his spouse of which reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership.</footnote>
	</footnotes>
	<ownerSignature>
		<signatureName>By: Michelle Bridges</signatureName>
		<signatureDate>2003-07-02</signatureDate>
	</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

