<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATINO EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION FOR PALFED, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
AS OF JUNE 30, 1997 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATE OF INCOME FOR THE THREE
MONTHS THEN ENDED.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          12,748
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           4,345
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     25,719
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          52,453
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            52,948
<LOANS>                                        548,498
<ALLOWANCE>                                      7,215
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 664,863
<DEPOSITS>                                     562,232
<SHORT-TERM>                                    40,100
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              5,258
<LONG-TERM>                                      2,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        54,773
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 664,863
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 12,184
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                1,389
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                    52
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                13,625
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               6,594
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,236
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            6,389
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      287
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 104
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  4,605
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,302
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       1,457
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,457
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    $.270
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    $.270
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.99
<LOANS-NON>                                      2,867
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 5,065
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 13,982
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 6,961
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      105
<RECOVERIES>                                        72
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                7,215
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             7,215
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          7,056
        

</TABLE>