<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FIRST
FEDERAL FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          162429
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          644885
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    4824282
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                        11952953
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                          11908358
<LOANS>                                       39313118
<ALLOWANCE>                                     286571
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                59197795
<DEPOSITS>                                    44992698
<SHORT-TERM>                                   2300000
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             425762
<LONG-TERM>                                    1000000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                          6464
<OTHER-SE>                                    10472871
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                59197795
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                2954398
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              1105448
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 73812
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               4133658
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             2374548
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             2448155
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          1685503
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                     3000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                6633
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                1316092
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 428731
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      428731
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    286347
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .46
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.97
<LOANS-NON>                                      87000
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                283112
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                     1718
<RECOVERIES>                                      2177
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               286571
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            286571
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>