<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION OF PALFED, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR
THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                           8,895
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           5,473
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     22,306
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         108,319
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           108,329
<LOANS>                                        456,489
<ALLOWANCE>                                      8,351
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 642,864
<DEPOSITS>                                     498,214
<SHORT-TERM>                                    78,800
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              5,754
<LONG-TERM>                                     10,000
<COMMON>                                        50,096
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 642,864
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 10,407
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                2,319
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                    94
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                12,820
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               6,188
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,538
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            5,094
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      451
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 172
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  3,948
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,687
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       1,687
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,068
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.21
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.23
<LOANS-NON>                                      8,399
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                13,967
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 10,394
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 8,077
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      432
<RECOVERIES>                                       255
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                8,351
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             8,351
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          7,132
        

</TABLE>