<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF FIRSTFED AMERICA BANCORP, INC. AT AND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                          20,720
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                   250
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    549,270
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                           2,819
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                             2,853
<LOANS>                                        888,760<F1>
<ALLOWANCE>                                     12,275
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,579,995
<DEPOSITS>                                     664,682
<SHORT-TERM>                                   540,535
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             33,946
<LONG-TERM>                                    239,127
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            87
<OTHER-SE>                                     101,618
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,579,995
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 61,005
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               30,844
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 1,972
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                93,821
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              24,812
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              61,771
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           32,050
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    1,200
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 25,509
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,875
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      11,875
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,186
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.31
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.36
<LOANS-NON>                                      1,310
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   556
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                12,016
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      958
<RECOVERIES>                                        17
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               12,275
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            12,275
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          1,827
<FN>
<F1>LOANS HELD TO MATURITY
</FN>


</TABLE>