<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                            9
<LEGEND>
     This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the 
     September 30, 1996, 10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to 
     such financial statements.

</LEGEND>
<CIK>                           0000926039
<NAME>                          Life Bancorp, Inc. 
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                     1.00
<CASH>                                            10,637
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                 0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                       0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                       0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                      609,996
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                           147,174
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                             146,000
<LOANS>                                          592,103
<ALLOWANCE>                                       10,594
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1,404,760
<DEPOSITS>                                       720,920
<SHORT-TERM>                                     512,156
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                               21,016
<LONG-TERM>                                        5,222
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                            0
<COMMON>                                              98
<OTHER-SE>                                       145,348
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 1,404,760
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                   35,736
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                  2,155
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                  31,409
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                  69,300
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                26,335
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                44,073
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                             25,227
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       (299)
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                    14 
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                   18,929
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    9,079
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                         9,079
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                       5,444
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       0.56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       0.56
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                      2.79
<LOANS-NON>                                        1,643
<LOANS-PAST>                                           0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   2,486
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                   12,000
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                   4,438
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        477
<RECOVERIES>                                       1,740
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                 10,594
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                   0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                    0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                           10,594
        


</TABLE>