<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S JUNE 30, 1998, FORM 10-Q AND THRIFT FINANCIAL REPORT 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-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                          70,257
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 1,915
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    311,275
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                      1,010,889
<ALLOWANCE>                                     13,898
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,511,776
<DEPOSITS>                                   1,078,210
<SHORT-TERM>                                   225,646
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             25,772
<LONG-TERM>                                     64,832
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        13,391
<OTHER-SE>                                     103,925
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,511,776
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 69,718
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               15,384
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                85,102
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              35,072
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              45,106
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           39,996
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    4,433
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 32,545
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,589
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      17,589
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,787
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .81<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .79<F1>
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.49
<LOANS-NON>                                      8,347
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 2,251
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                14,423
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    4,135
<RECOVERIES>                                     1,116
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               15,487
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            12,299
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          3,188
<FN>
<F1>A THREE-FOR-TWO STOCK SPLIT IN THE FORM OF A STOCK DIVIDEND OCCURRED, 
EFFECTIVE APRIL 27, 1998. PRIOR FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULES HAVE NOT BEEN RESTATED.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>