<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM
10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997             MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          42,503                  42,503
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0                       0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0                       0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0                       0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    584,394                 584,394
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         591,955                   7,561
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           592,059                   7,665
<LOANS>                                      1,802,932               1,802,932
<ALLOWANCE>                                     26,967                  26,967
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,524,612               2,524,612
<DEPOSITS>                                   1,683,130               1,683,130
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0                       0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            560,881                 560,881
<LONG-TERM>                                          0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           198                     198
<OTHER-SE>                                     280,403                 280,403
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               2,524,612               2,524,612
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 33,973                  96,740
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               10,839                  25,793
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                44,812                 122,533
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              20,100                  59,482
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,608                  72,104
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           17,204                  50,429
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    2,896                  10,662
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0                       0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 12,818                  45,830
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,952                   1,516
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       2,216                     224
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,216                     224
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.12                    0.01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.12                    0.01
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    7.34                    7.42
<LOANS-NON>                                     21,800                  21,800
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0                       0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                18,000                  18,000
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0                       0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                25,658                  19,741
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    1,587                   3,436
<RECOVERIES>                                         0                       0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               26,967                  26,967
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            26,967                  26,967
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0                       0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0                       0
        

</TABLE>