<TABLE> <S> <C>

<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, 1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          32,021
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    222,855
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          34,986
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            35,723
<LOANS>                                        848,552 <F1>
<ALLOWANCE>                                     10,937
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,281,832
<DEPOSITS>                                     708,488
<SHORT-TERM>                                   228,733
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             42,493
<LONG-TERM>                                    175,132
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            87
<OTHER-SE>                                     126,899
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,281,832
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 67,493
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                8,641
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   756
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                76,890
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              33,034
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              46,529
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           30,361
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    2,350
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 163
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 22,259
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,105
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      12,105
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,819
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .84
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.93
<LOANS-NON>                                      3,048
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 1,469
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 8,788
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      212
<RECOVERIES>                                        11
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               10,937
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            10,937
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          2,288
        
<FN>
<F1>
LOANS HELD TO MATURITY
</FN>

</TABLE>