<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, 1999 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                    SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                                  13365
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                   1154
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                            0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                            0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            224013
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                      0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                        0
<LOANS>                                                461272
<ALLOWANCE>                                              5580
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                         725115
<DEPOSITS>                                             452947
<SHORT-TERM>                                            28500
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                     12719
<LONG-TERM>                                            153887
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                   54
<OTHER-SE>                                              77008
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                         725115
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                         23970
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                       11488
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                          797
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                        36255
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                      12587
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      19464
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                   16791
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                             670
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                          0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                         11616
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                          5884
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                               5884
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                             3384
<EPS-BASIC>                                            0.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            0.68
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                           3.22
<LOANS-NON>                                              2460
<LOANS-PAST>                                              928
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                          635
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                          3006
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                         4891
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                             240
<RECOVERIES>                                              259
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                        5580
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                     5580
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                     0


</TABLE>