<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM RCSB FINANCIAL, INC.'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR
THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000840068
<NAME> RCSB FINANCIAL, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1996
<CASH>                                          56,639
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           7,654
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     18,797
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       1,639,021
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         1,634,422
<LOANS>                                      2,048,861
<ALLOWANCE>                                     28,190
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,014,317
<DEPOSITS>                                   2,368,650
<SHORT-TERM>                                   987,393
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            213,949
<LONG-TERM>                                    120,462
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        15,331
<OTHER-SE>                                     308,532
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               4,014,317
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                176,978
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              115,915
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   725
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               293,618
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             101,913
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             164,237
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          129,381
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   13,548
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               1,900
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                123,442
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 57,550
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      39,705
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,705
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.36
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                     3.5
<LOANS-NON>                                     19,545
<LOANS-PAST>                                     4,608
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                26,091
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   17,193
<RECOVERIES>                                     5,744
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               28,190
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            28,190
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>