<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                    9
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED
FROM THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER  ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 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>                                   3-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                    MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                                  11488
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                   1572
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                            0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                            0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            208221
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                      0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                        0
<LOANS>                                                472775
<ALLOWANCE>                                              5506
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                         721290
<DEPOSITS>                                             464297
<SHORT-TERM>                                            51300
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                      6822
<LONG-TERM>                                            123426
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                   54
<OTHER-SE>                                              75391
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                         721290
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                          8697
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                        3667
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                          180
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                        12544
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                       4364
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                       7028
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                    5516
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                             120
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                          0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                          4178
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                          1707
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                               1707
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                              984
<EPS-BASIC>                                              0.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            0.21
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                           3.15
<LOANS-NON>                                              2088
<LOANS-PAST>                                              565
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                          559
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                          2041
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                         5509
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                             133
<RECOVERIES>                                               10
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                        5506
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                     5506
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                     0


</TABLE>