<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, 1998 OF AMBANC  HOLDING
CO., INC. AND ITS  SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                              1000
       
<S>                                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                   12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                    DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                                   9,225
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                   3,390
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                        30,200
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                             0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            244,241
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                       0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                         0
<LOANS>                                                425,824
<ALLOWANCE>                                              4,891
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                         735,472
<DEPOSITS>                                             461,413
<SHORT-TERM>                                            22,400
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                     14,356
<LONG-TERM>                                            151,410
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                  0
<COMMON>                                                    54
<OTHER-SE>                                              85,839
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                         735,472
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                         24,623
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                       13,479
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                           871
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                        38,973
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                      13,822
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      22,441
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                   16,532
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                              900
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                        (165)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                         15,075
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                          1,701
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                               1,701
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                             1,031
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                             0.26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                             0.26
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                            3.04
<LOANS-NON>                                              1,610
<LOANS-PAST>                                               580
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                           714
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                          4,037
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                         3,807
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                            1,226
<RECOVERIES>                                               295
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                        4,891
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                     4,107
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                          0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                    784
        

</TABLE>