<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ADVANTAGE BANCORP, INC. AS OF AND
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          16,528
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          31,363
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    181,827
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         184,893
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           188,181
<LOANS>                                        571,676
<ALLOWANCE>                                      5,764
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,031,221
<DEPOSITS>                                     690,499
<SHORT-TERM>                                    80,918
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             16,134
<LONG-TERM>                                    153,510
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        90,160
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,031,221
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 12,047
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                6,773
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   331
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                19,151
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               7,899
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,453
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            7,698
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       80
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 218
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  5,794
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,897
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       3,897
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,453
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.70
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    7.84
<LOANS-NON>                                      3,283
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 5,773
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                       98
<RECOVERIES>                                         9
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                5,764
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             5,764
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>