<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                    9
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED
FROM THE ANNUAL  REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED  DECEMBER 31, 1996 OF AMBANC  HOLDING
CO., INC. AND ITS  SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                              1000
       
<S>                                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                   12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                    DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                                   4,336
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                   2,051
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                         4,500
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                             0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            200,539
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                       0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                         0
<LOANS>                                                251,532
<ALLOWANCE>                                              3,438
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                         472,421
<DEPOSITS>                                             298,082
<SHORT-TERM>                                            58,280
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                      4,041
<LONG-TERM>                                             50,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                  0
<COMMON>                                                    54
<OTHER-SE>                                              61,464
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                         472,421
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                         20,557
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                       10,921
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                           870
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                        32,348
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                      12,424
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      16,435
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                   15,913
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                            9,450
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                        (102)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                         13,148
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         (5,765)
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                              (5,765)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                            (3,836)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                            (0.81)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            (0.81)
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                            3.66
<LOANS-NON>                                              3,123
<LOANS-PAST>                                               725
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                         1,031
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                          7,397
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                         2,647
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                            8,718
<RECOVERIES>                                                59
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                        3,438
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                     3,438
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                          0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                      0
        

</TABLE>