<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE FILER'S ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000702904
<NAME> AMBANC CORP.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          37,313
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                             298
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 7,440
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                          0
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         148,535
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           150,219
<LOANS>                                        540,433
<ALLOWANCE>                                      5,428
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 759,395
<DEPOSITS>                                     665,685
<SHORT-TERM>                                     6,747
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              6,577
<LONG-TERM>                                      2,031
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        69,856
<OTHER-SE>                                       8,499
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 759,395
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 46,164
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                9,475
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   452
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                56,254
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              28,007
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              28,441
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           27,813
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    1,245
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  78
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 19,045
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,872
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      11,872
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,286
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.19
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.29
<LOANS-NON>                                        649
<LOANS-PAST>                                     1,976
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 2,422
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 5,650
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    1,767
<RECOVERIES>                                       320
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                5,428
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             1,672
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          3,756
        

</TABLE>