<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, 1997 OF
AMBANC HOLDING CO., INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFRENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                              1000
       
<S>                                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                   3-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                    MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                                    2359
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                    3249
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                          6700
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                             0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                             202733
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                       0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                         0
<LOANS>                                                 251792
<ALLOWANCE>                                               3712
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                          478117
<DEPOSITS>                                              311471
<SHORT-TERM>                                             51810
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                       3517
<LONG-TERM>                                              50500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                  0
<COMMON>                                                    54
<OTHER-SE>                                               60765
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                          478117
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                           4891
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                         3659
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                           125
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                          8675
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                        3103
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        4655
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                     4020
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                              363
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                          (1)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                           2815
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                           1076
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                                1076
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                               652
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                0.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                0.16
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                               3.53
<LOANS-NON>                                               2842
<LOANS-PAST>                                               565
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                          1019
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                           7214
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                          3438
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                              108
<RECOVERIES>                                                19
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                         3712
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                      3712
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                          0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                      0
        

</TABLE>