<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, 1997 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                    DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                                   5,627
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                   4,598
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                             0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                             0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            205,842
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                       0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                         0
<LOANS>                                                284,930
<ALLOWANCE>                                              3,807
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                         510,444
<DEPOSITS>                                             333,265
<SHORT-TERM>                                            68,550
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                      4,427
<LONG-TERM>                                             43,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                  0
<COMMON>                                                    54
<OTHER-SE>                                              61,148
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                         510,444
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                         21,011
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                       13,957
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                           598
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                        35,566
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                      13,645
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      19,654
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                   15,912
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                            1,088
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                         775
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                         12,197
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                          4,453
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                               4,453
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                             2,760
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                             0.70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                             0.69
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                            3.36
<LOANS-NON>                                              1,876
<LOANS-PAST>                                               445
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                           931
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                          5,813
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                         3,438
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                            1,214
<RECOVERIES>                                               495
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                        3,807
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                     3,807
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                          0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                      0


</TABLE>