<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                    9
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY
FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 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>                          9-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                      DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                           SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                                 9005
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                 1714
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                          0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                          0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                          210562
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                    0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                      0
<LOANS>                                              280546
<ALLOWANCE>                                            4147
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       529309
<DEPOSITS>                                           330658
<SHORT-TERM>                                          60950
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                   34497
<LONG-TERM>                                           43000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                               0
<COMMON>                                                 54
<OTHER-SE>                                            60150
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                       529309
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                       15359
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                     10394
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                        522
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                      26275
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                    10017
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    14366
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                 11909
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                           863
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                      505
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                        9174
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        3153
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                             3153
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                           1960
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                             0.49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                             0.49
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                            3.41
<LOANS-NON>                                            2120
<LOANS-PAST>                                            553
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                        940
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                        4334
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                       3438
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                           587
<RECOVERIES>                                            433
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                      4147
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                   4147
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                       0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                   0
        

</TABLE>