<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF FIRSTFED AMERICA BANCORP, INC. AT AND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          39,020
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    414,026
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          15,606
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            15,763
<LOANS>                                        766,687<F1>
<ALLOWANCE>                                     12,016
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,393,237
<DEPOSITS>                                     674,870
<SHORT-TERM>                                   258,730
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             29,425
<LONG-TERM>                                    327,251
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            87
<OTHER-SE>                                     102,874
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,393,237
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 65,352
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               19,891
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 1,534
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                86,777
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              27,572
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              56,443
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           30,334
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    1,200
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   9
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 25,333
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,439
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      11,439
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,621
<EPS-BASIC>                                     1.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.09
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.41
<LOANS-NON>                                      2,550
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 1,565
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                10,937
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      138
<RECOVERIES>                                        17
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               12,016
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            12,016
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          2,343
<FN>
<F1>LOANS HELD TO MATURITY
</FN>


</TABLE>