<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S MARCH 31, 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          44,354
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                   901
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    303,666
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                        926,401
<ALLOWANCE>                                     12,781
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,355,001
<DEPOSITS>                                     979,317
<SHORT-TERM>                                   235,660
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             13,187
<LONG-TERM>                                     27,188
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        11,645
<OTHER-SE>                                      88,004
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,355,001
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 41,657
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                8,913
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                50,570
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              21,156
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,426
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           23,144
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    2,670
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 16,772
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,846
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      11,846
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,380
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .64<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .62<F1>
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.75
<LOANS-NON>                                      7,288
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 2,014
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                11,903
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    2,536
<RECOVERIES>                                       744
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               12,781
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            10,150
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          2,631
<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>