<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ADVANTAGE BANCORP, INC. AS OF AND FOR THE SIX 
MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          14,116
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          38,106
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    171,369
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         185,256
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           186,577
<LOANS>                                        570,294
<ALLOWANCE>                                      5,811
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,021,439
<DEPOSITS>                                     671,943
<SHORT-TERM>                                    81,078
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             15,811
<LONG-TERM>                                    162,360
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        90,246
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,021,439
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 23,938
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               13,299
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   704
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                37,941
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              15,493
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,740
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           15,201
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      180
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 313
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 11,109
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,817
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       7,817
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,990
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.44
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    7.80
<LOANS-NON>                                      3,076
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 5,773
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      190
<RECOVERIES>                                        48
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                5,811
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             5,811
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>