<TABLE> <S> <C>
                                                                
<ARTICLE>                                                            9
<CIK>                                                                0000752324
<NAME>                                       NEW ENGLAND COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                              1,000
                                                                      
<S>                                                                  <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                         3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                       JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                         MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                                                25,058
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<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                                        (4)
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<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                        1,905
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<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                            0
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<EPS-DILUTED>                                                              0.33
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<LOANS-PAST>                                                              10
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<CHARGE-OFFS>                                                            247
<RECOVERIES>                                                              67
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<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                                   5,577
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                                        0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                                    0
                                                                  

</TABLE>